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
A Flowering Tree: A Woman's Tale thing, asking her "to make a spectacle of herself" by displaying her secret gift. Even the first time when she herself becomes a tree to sell her flowers she makes of herself a commodity. The woman is most open to injury when she is most attractive, when she is exercising her gift of flowering. Each time she becomes a tree, she begs the one who is pouring the water to be careful not to hurt her. Yet, paradoxically, when she is mutilated, she cannot be healed directly. She can be made whole only by becoming the tree again, becoming vulnerable