The Peking lilac is a dependable urban tree and a great choice for a parking lot, boulevard, and parkway plantings. Native to Asia, it is both hardy and beautiful, with attractive, amber-colored, peeling bark.

Peking lilac is a deciduous, perennial shrub or small tree in the olive family (Oleaceae). It is native to China. The subspecific epithet is Latin for “from Peking,” which is the old Romanized name for Beijing, the capital of China. This plant is upright, arching, loose and open.

Hardy and beautiful, award-winning Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis 'China Snow' (Pekin Lilac) is a very floriferous deciduous tree of graceful, upright-rounded habit with multiple seasons of interest.

Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis ‘Beijing Gold’ (Pekin Lilac) is a very floriferous deciduous tree of graceful, upright habit with multiple seasons of interest. In early summer, a profusion of fragrant heads of tiny primrose-yellow flowers cover the tree in wonderful clusters.

The Peking lilac isn’t just about aesthetics, though—it’s also a hardy and adaptable tree. Native to northern China, it thrives in USDA zones 4 to 7, making it well-suited for colder climates. However, it doesn’t fare well in hotter regions; anything warmer …

Although native to wooded areas on slopes, valleys, and ravines in northern China, Peking lilac trees do very well in North America. You can use it as a street tree, a specimen plant, or a corner accent. Peking “Beijing gold” lilac is a very versatile tree.

Syringa pekinensis is a small multi-stemmed tree that would fit most gardens. It has large clusters of cream-white flowers and exceptional exfoliating bark. If it had great fall color it would be one of the most popular trees on the market, but unfortunately the leaves just go brown.

Syringa pekinensis Summer Charm® is a subspecies of Syringa reticulata, with lustrous dark green foliage and lovely creamy white fragrant flowers in June. The panicles take on shades of pale yellow as they age, and they are followed by interesting brown seed capsules in clusters.

Beijing Gold Peking Lilac is an attractive, small tree lilac that can do well in a variety of urban environments. It has creamy-yellow flowers in early summer and interesting cinnamon or amber peeling bark.

The China Snow® Peking Lilac is known for its amber-colored exfoliating bark and large clusters of creamy white flowers. This tree makes for a great specimen tree that works well in urban, residential, and commercial plantings.