For taller options and non-tree planting schemes Contact us stating species, height/girth and delivery postcode.
Charles Joly Lilac Tree / shrub Options Explained
60+cm : Usually in a 7-12L pot, 2-3 years old and 60-90cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
80+cm : Usually in a 12-18 L pot and 80-100 cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
100+cm : Usually in a 18-25 L pot and 100-125 cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
125+cm : Usually in a 35-50 L pot and 125-150 cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
150+cm : Usually in a 50-70 L pot and 150-175 cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
175+cm : Usually in a 70-90 L pot and 175-200 cm tall at delivery. Multi-stem.
125-150cm: 2-3 year Half Standard (single stem i.e. lollipop shape) in a 7-12L pot
150-180cm: 3-4 year Half Standard (single stem i.e. lollipop shape) in a 12-15L pot
(HS)Girth 6-8cm : Half Standard. Usually in a 18-25 L pot and roughly 80-150cm clear stem with around 30-60cm round head.
(HS)Girth 8-10cm : Half Standard. Usually in an 18-35L pot and around 80-150cm clear stem and around 40-80cm rounded head. One season older than Half Standard 6-8cm.
*Heights are given as a very rough guideline and can have considerable variation based on species and supplier (each nursery experiences different growing conditions) It may even have been pruned before being sent out so we can only guarantee girth. Trees over 5.5m may include a delivery surcharge based on location and species.
Once a mature Charles Joly Lilac tree is over around 200cm/4 years old then girth is the best measure of value for money. For every girth measurement increment e.g. 6-8cm to 8-10cm (roughly 12-18months growth), the canopy will be wider, stronger, bushier and the root system larger as it has experienced 12-18 months growth. You can notice larger root systems with potted versions because the pot size increases with maturity. As a very general rule, each one cm girth measurement represents around 30cm growth but this doesn't apply to slow-growing trees.
Multistem means several stems starting very low to the ground. Comparing these with the same age Standard and Half Standard, these are typically shorter as growing several stems takes more effort than one stem.
Standard and Half Standard means lollipop shape. There is a more clear stem with a Standard.
Syringa Charles Joly
A lovely, round-shaped small lilac tree/shrub, Charles Joly (Syringa vulgaris 'Charles Joly') has an erect form, typical of Lilacs. One of the classic lilacs with pretty single very dark red-purple flower clusters that are highly scented. The flowers have been described as heart-shaped but on closer inspection, we could not find any shapes similar to ventricles, veins, arteries or nerves so we suspect the Syringa flowers are more artistically/romantically heart-shaped than literally.
It has the RHS Award Of Garden Merit which means a group of Welly wearers on a secret allotment had a vote and this one did well.
A small height tree/shrub, so expect a height of around 4 metres (13 foot) after 10 years but could go on to grow more depending on local conditions e.g. if you have provided your garden as a testing ground for John Innes and they have built a biodome over your land and planted your Charles Jolly in a section marked "EXPERIMENTAL MAXIMUM GROWTH" then you may just get a little more.
It will do well in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained and alkaline to neural soils and is listed as Chalk tolerant which according to the RHS actually means it prefers it. Plant in full sun for best results and an occasional thinning of the branches will promote new growth. If after pruning it looks like a drunken and malicious Edward Scissor hands have been in your garden then you have gone too far.
This tree/shrub is supplied at a height of 60-300cm in a container for year-round planting.
Message card included at no additional cost if required. Just add the information required on the card at checkout.
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Syringa Charles Joly
I am pleased to report it was delivered today, apparently in good order. Best wishes, Bryan Carsberg 1013
Tree Jargon Explained
Half Standard: Around 80-100cm clear stem.
Standard: Around 180-200cm clear stem.
Feathered: Branches for most of the trunk/stem length.
Multi-Stem/Bush: Very little or no clear stem. Multiple branching starting low to the ground.
Rootball: Dug from the field with roots intact i.e. no pot.
Pot: Plastic container that the tree was grown in.
Maiden: 1 year tree that has not been pruned.
Pleached: Foliage a square/rectangle flat shape wired to a bamboo frame with some clear stem.
Screen: Same as pleached but much less/no clear stem.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £750 for 150cm+ trees might be discounted by ​​​​​​​contacting us
Ornamental Tree Roots In The Shade e.g. Behind A Fence
It is more important that that foliage (posh term for leaves) receives the sunlight than the roots. So if the canopy of your ornamental tree can sunbathe but the bottom of your tree thinks there has been a nuclear winter then that is ok. You might want to ensure you have good drainage as water and no sun is the start of algae and other such issues.
Early Autumn Leaf Fall
Heat stress, being potted, lack of water, being boxed up for a few days etc can cause early Autumn leaf fall. Once planted, normal service will resume next season.
Do I Need To Stake My Ornamental Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Mature Tree Warranty
Once a tree is over 3 years old, the failure rate is considerably less and our Tree Warranty does not cover it at 100%. Please check details.
Multi-Stem Syringa (Lilac) Trees
Most Syringa from Trees Online will be multi-stem or shrub like unless otherwise stated. If it is important to you, please state at checkout which is your preference.
Grafted Syringa (Lilac) Trees
All Syringa (Lilac) trees, have been grafted to produce a better tree in terms of vigour and earlier flowering. The rootstock used is a special selection (S. tomentella) which reduces suckering to a minimum. S. vulgaris is not used as a rootstock for this reason.
