For a compact garden, lilacs (Syringa) are typically too colossal for comfort! Even most dwarf varieties grow to between four to six feet tall. However, the brand new Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ grows to a maximum of 100 cm tall in five years – and doesn’t compromise on that signature lilac scent – bringing new meaning to the phrase ‘short and sweet’!
How to care for Syringa ‘Little Rosie’Flowering time: Spring Location: Compact gardens, balconies, pots and planters Soil: Well-draining Light: Full sun or partial shade Water: Water well while establishing Size: 100 cm height, compact habit Care: Low maintenance |
What’s different about Syringa ‘Little Rosie’?
Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ is noted for its compact size, something that lilac lovers with compact gardens will revel in! However, just because this plant is small, doesn’t take away from its impact in the garden. Come spring, its cheerful and pretty pink blooms emerge, emulating those of its larger cousins (just on a smaller scale)!
Not only are its blooms a marker for the beginning of a new season, with their gorgeous cherry blossom colouring, they also have that beautiful, sweet lilac scent. Plant it near a path or doorway for a flush of fragrance every time you pass it!
How was Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ created?
Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ was created by André van Nijnatten, and was selected 16 years ago in 2008! However, despite being selected so long ago, the plant only came to market last year.
André is an expert in Syringa (and woody shrubs in general). He has bred, among others:
- Ribes Amore
- Syringa Flowerfesta series
- Ilex Globe
- Ilex Gentle
- Syringa ‘Pink Perfume’
It was a semi-controlled crossing, with the seed parent being ‘Pink Perfume’, a twice yearly blooming tree standing tall at a mature height of 1.8m. ‘Little Rosie’ was selected because it has notably dark pink buds and flowers, which combine nicely with its dark green leaves. Like Flowerfesta, Andre looks for compact plants for small gardens (ca. 1 m tall).
The name ‘Little Rosie’ was chosen together with Peter Van Rijssen from Plantipp, who has a daughter called Rosie.
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About the breeder André was born in 1941 and grew up with parents who grew soft fruit and vegetables. In the fifties, they changed to woody plants, so André has really grown up with an extensive knowledge of woody plants. The kids all had to help in the nursery from a young age. In the seventies, he and his brother took over the nursery. There was always a large demand for special varieties, so André was always on the lookout for something new. Because he was known for his assortment, he received a lot of attention from plant collectors at his nursery. Sunday was his day off at the nursery and he used this time to study the assortment and learn. In 1986 he continued with the nursery without his brother. Also in the eighties, he joined the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society (KVBC) and became a judge in their KVBC-award events (for best novelty, best field trials etc). André says his work is his hobby, his passion. In the later years of his career, he has had more time to make his own crossings, especially Syringa meyeri, which currently has his interest. He lives in the house where he was born, next to his nursery and in the middle of his plants and nature. Recently, his wife Corrie passed away; he has said that he misses his wife extremely dearly but he is never really alone because he has so many plants and birds (whom his wife used to feed) around him. |
Where can you plant Syringa ‘Little Rosie’?
Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ is perfect for compact gardens, as mentioned! However, she also works well in mid-borders, as well as in pots and planters on balconies or patios. Being so compact, this plant can really be placed anywhere with well-draining soil and full to partial sunlight!
Where can you buy Syringa ‘Little Rosie’?
Syringa ‘Little Rosie’ isn’t yet available from online retailers, but look out for this plant both online and in garden centres and nurseries from spring 2024!
Plant of the Month is sponsored by Plantipp, a company based in The Netherlands who handle the introduction of new plants into Europe.
See every Plant of the Month here.
Images courtesy of Plantipp.
Michael has been involved with gardening and plants since he was just five years old. He is a self-professed Plant Geek, and was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 most influential people in the gardening world, thanks to his plant hunter role at Thompson & Morgan.
Michael was responsible for new plant introductions such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry and keeps busy travelling the world in search of new plants as well as lecturing worldwide, including stints in Japan. He is very active on social media – so why not give him a follow at @mr_plantgeek or Facebook – and writes a plant-focused Substack called Grow This, Not That.
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