Syringa × laciniata Syringa × laciniata Syringa × laciniata, the cut-leaf lilac or cutleaf lilac, is a hybrid lilac of unknown, though old origin. It is thought to be a hybrid between "Syringa vulgaris" from southeastern Europe and "Syringa protolaciniata" from western China. Although often cited as being from China, it more likely arose somewhere in southwestern Asia, where it was first scientifically described from cultivated plants in the 17th century, possibly Iran or Afghanistan, or Pakistan, where it has been cultivated since ancient times. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are 2–4 cm long, variably entire
Syringa vulgaris that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State". Additional hardiness, for Canadian gardens, was bred for in a series of "S. vulgaris" hybrids by Isabella Preston, who introduced many of the later-blooming varieties, whose later-developing flower buds are better protected from late spring frosts; the "Syringa × prestoniae" hybrids range primarily in the pink and lavender shades. Most garden plants of "S. vulgaris" are cultivars, the majority of which do not exceed tall. Between 1876 and 1927, the nurseryman Victor Lemoine of Nancy introduced over 153 named cultivars, many of which are considered classics and still