Syringa vulgaris Aucubaefolia

The 'Aucubaefolia' Lilac was named for its variegated foliage, which resembles an aucuba. It is an original variety derived from the Syringa vulgaris, the common lilac. In spring, this deciduous small tree produces clusters of purple buds that open into fragrant flowers, more or less double, in a lovely mauve colour. Bright and refined, this lilac is fantastic in spring. It deserves to be showcased in the garden. Its flower clusters are beautiful in flower arrangements.

The Syringa vulgaris 'Aucubaefolia' is a horticultural creation derived from the lilac 'President Grevy'. It is a deciduous shrub of the olive family. The common lilac, also known as European lilac, is native to Southeast Europe and Western Asia, specifically the Balkan Peninsula. It only arrived in Western Europe at the end of the Renaissance. This robust species with highly fragrant blue-violet-purple flowers in nature covers rocky hills and withstands very cold winters.

The 'Aucubaefolia' variety is an upright and rounded shrub with an average height of 2.70 m and a spread of 1.80 m. Its stump slightly suckers, spontaneously forming a bush composed of multiple stems. Its triangular and heart-shaped deciduous leaves, measuring 4 to 12 cm long and 3 to 8 cm wide, appear in spring. They are randomly striated, splashed, or punctate with yellow on a green background. The flowering occurs between May and June, sometimes as early as April 15th, depending on the climate. Pairs or more ramified clusters appear at the ends of one-year-old branches, slightly erect. These compound clusters, called thyrses, reach 15 to 25 cm long. Their overall pyramidal shape is rather slender. The dark purple buds open into double or semi-double flowers, with a corolla forming a long tube at the base. Their colour evolves from pinkish mauve to bluish mauve. They emit a pronounced, very floral fragrance.

Falling into disuse in the 1960s-1970s, which saw the rise of more delicate and often perpetual American or Asian lilacs, the European lilac and its more massive hybrids are making a strong comeback in our gardens. Like old-fashioned roses, which were criticised for their single flowering and were therefore neglected in favour of modern hybrids, the European lilac and its more massive hybrids are making a strong comeback in our gardens.

The 'Aucubaefolia' Common Lilac is a shrub of real ornamental value. It adapts to any well-drained soil in almost all climates. Highlight it against a background of conifers or shrubs with dark foliage. It is also used in large flowering hedges, along with other lilac varieties, ornamental cherry trees, or apple trees. All these shrubs planted above a sunken path will delight in spring. It can also be used as a standalone plant, surrounded by a bed of ground cover roses like 'The Fairy', in a small dedicated space.