Size: shrub, 8-15' average height at maturity (6-12' spread)
Buds: true terminal absent but twigs often have paired buds at apex, angular, variously colored, several pairs of imbricate scales
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 2-5" long, 1.5-3.5" wide, simple, ovate, tips acuminate, margins entire, dark green, may be gray-green in late summer from mildew, fall color is sometimes yellow
Twigs: grayish, leaf scars not connected, usually there are vague decurrent lines, few lenticels
Flowers: monoecious, the familiar lilacs, bloom in late April or early May, in terminal panicles up to 8"+, extremely fragrant, range of colors has been developed, including reds, purples, lavenders, blues, pinks, whites, and even a pale yellow
Fruit: dehiscent capsule, .625"
Bark: grayish when young
