Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis Syringa reticulata subsp. pekinensis (formerly known as "Syringa pekinensis"), also known as the Pekin lilac or the Chinese tree lilac, grows in an open, multi-stemmed form to a height of , with a spread of . They are native to northern China but grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7. It is grown as an ornamental tree in Europe and North America. Pekin lilacs have arching branches and ovate dark green leaves that are long. They have yellowish-white flowers that bloom in panicles up to long. The panicles change over to loose clusters of brown
Flowering Orchards new, now the orchards have almost finished blossoming." Flowering trees represented a source of spiritual renewal for Van Gogh; in 1883 he had written of the symbolism of the flowering tree, seeing the evidence of rebirth like the "man who finally produces something poignant as the blossom of a hard, difficult life, is a wonder, like the black hawthorn, or better still the gnarled old apple tree which at certain moments bears blossoms which are among the most delicate and virginal things under the sun." In 1888 Van Gogh became inspired in southern France and began the most productive period