Syringa josikaea, commonly known as Hungarian lilac, is a deciduous shrub native to the woodland margins and rocky hillsides of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania and western Ukraine. It typically grows to a height of 6-13 feet with a similar spread and features elliptic-acute leaves. The Hungarian lilac is celebrated for its dark pink, fragrant flowers that bloom in slender panicles in early summer, providing a showy display that attracts pollinators.

This species is valued for its hardiness and adaptability to cool to temperate climates, as well as its frost resistance. It is often used in gardens and parks for its fragrant and attractive flowers, which can also be cut for indoor arrangements. Hungarian lilac prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil, though it is relatively low-maintenance once established. It is important to note that while it can hybridize with Syringa komarowii, such hybridization is generally controlled and does not occur spontaneously in garden settings. Potential problems include lilac borer and powdery mildew, but these can be managed with proper care and monitoring.CC BY-SA 4.0