Syringa Emodi Variegata

That is a lovely shrub KS, I was intrigued by this and looked it up - Himalayan lilac. I would love this as I have just the gap for it after loosing trees this winter, but my one Lilac is such a poor thing that I will have to pass as I could only find it at £35 and that's too expensive as an experiment.

yes Drc...it's the foliage, it is absolutely superb. It just gets better and better. Most unlike your usual Lilac, but it's a pity about the lack of scent. Still, you can't have it all!

Do you have clay soil KS?

Yes we do. Our soil is amazing really. I passed a hole in the ground the other day and the layers are quite thin and very distinct. One layer was bright green clay! Anyway, yes, we have a mixture of clay and sand, being in an ancient flood plane on the coast, there is loads of sand in there and rubble further down. But the land our houses are built on was a high quality agricultural farm where they grew potatoes, so it is good quality and well cultivated. However, the builders left it dreadfully compacted (as they do!). Neutral to slightly acidic btw.

Oh, and a lot of the plants in this area where the lilac is are growing in 80% builders sand for about two feet deep!

Thanks Karens

It's so special when a plant eventually flowers. When it happens I just think - 'Well, I can stop worrying about you now!'

Ah, yes that's true Oji. Except in this case I still have to 'worry' about the fact it's growing in 2 feet of builders' sand! lol....only kidding, no worries!

This is going on my list to get I do love variegated plants, as long as our roses have perfume I am not bothered about much else, but this is my kind of plant.....

Glad you like it DD. The leaves get quite large with time and keep the wonderful colours.

Thanks homebird, me too!

As you know I have this too Karen, you've hit the nail on the head there kept sniffing it and trying to decide what it reminded me of, privet thats it!!!!!! :-))

:) How big is yours Kathy? I'd forgotten that you have it tbh....I'm hoping that mine will eventually hide a bit of the view to next door!

Mines around 7ft Karen, think I've had it 8 years now :-)

Great! That's about what I need mine to be asap! It's about 4' at the moment. Shouldn't bee too many more years now!