China Snow™ Peking Lilac Tree

China Snow™ is the named ‘Morton’ selection of Peking lilac, an ornamental small tree with fragrant white flowers, green leaves, and exfoliating amber bark. Published mature size varies by profile: one exact-selection nursery lists 15–20 feet high and 11–15 feet wide, while the Morton Arboretum lists 20–30 feet high and 15–25 feet wide; the existing approximate dimensions and 15–20-foot height label remain a plausible regional estimate. ## Seasonal features Fragrant flower clusters appear in late spring to early summer. The leaves are dark green and deciduous; sources differ on fall color, so expect the reliable winter feature to be peeling coppery-amber bark. Its urban tolerance and rounded form make it useful in parkways, residential landscapes, and broad mixed plantings where the eventual crown has room. ## Siting Choose full sun or partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. The Morton Arboretum notes alkaline-soil tolerance and moderate drought tolerance; avoid persistently wet ground and water new plantings through their first growing seasons. ## Maintenance Prune after flowering if shaping is needed, since pruning later can remove developing flower buds. Inspect the root zone during dry weather and water deeply when the soil begins to dry. Sources: [Morton Arboretum: China Snow™ Peking lilac](https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/china-snow-peking-lilac/); [Chalet Nursery: China Snow](https://chaletnursery.com/products/lilac-pekin-china-snow).