Syringa pubescens

Syringa pubescens is a species of flowering plant in the lilac genus of the family Oleaceae, native to Korea and China (Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jilin, Liaoning, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan). Growing to 6 m (20 ft) tall and broad, it is a substantial deciduous shrub with green leaves felted white beneath, and panicles of heavily scented, white-throated lilac flowers in early summer. The specific epithet pubescens means 'downy', referring to the texture of the leaves. Three subspecies (formerly listed as separate species) are recognised: The cultivar S. pubescens subsp. microphylla 'Superba' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. According to some authorities Syringa meyeri C.K.Schneid. is a synonym of S. pubescens. The cultivar ‘Palibin’ has also won the AGM.