A medium size tree with fragrant white flowers and ornamental exfoliating bark.
Pronunciation
(si-RING-ga)(pea-kin-EN-sis)
Plant Type
All Plants, Trees Deciduous
Hardiness Zone
5-8
Sunlight
full, partial shade
Moisture
average, tolerates draught once established
Soil & Site
average, doesn't tolerate poorly drained
Flowers
trusses of fragrant creamy white flowers
Stems
The amber colored exfoliating (peeling bark) is an outstanding feature of this plant
Dimensions
Listed as 15-20 feet tall by 15 feet spread. Old original trees (100 years old)are 40 feet tall by 20 feet wide at the Morton Arboretum in Isle, Illinois.
Propagation
grafting, tissue culture
Cultivar Origin
Originated at the Morton Arboretum, Isle, Illinois from seed collected by Joesph Rock in 1926 in Gansu, China. Named after the Chicago Water Tower.
Notes & Reference
#01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr), #93-North American Landscape Trees (Arthur Lee Jacobson), #104-Lilacs “A Gardeners Encyclopedia”(Fiala))