Black Gum vs Katherine Havemeyer Lilac - TreeTime.ca

Black Gum vs Katherine Havemeyer Lilac

Nyssa sylvatica

Syringa vulgaris Katherine Havemeyer

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Black Gum
Katherine Havemeyer Lilac

Black Gum is a slow-growing ornamental shade tree with a dense pyramidal shape. The foliage is dark green in the summer, and transitions to bright fall colours which include red, orange, purple, and gold. It is commonly used as an ornamental tree in parks and large gardens as a specimen or shade tree.

The small greenish white flowers provide nectar for bees and black tupelo honey is a sought after flavour. The small dark blue fruits which ripen in late summer will attract birds and other animals to your yard. The fruits are edible, but very sour, and are primarily used for pies, flavouring, and drinks. Plant the Black Gum where it will live long-term, as it has a large taproot and does not transplant well.

Katherine Havemeyer Lilac is a cold hardy French lilac known for its highly fragrant, double flowers. The buds start as a lavender-purple and give way to soft pink blooms that have double the number of petals compared to other Lilacs. The flowers bloom in late spring and can last up to 3-4 weeks.

The Katherine Havemeyer lilac, like other lilacs, is deer-resistant. The flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators to your landscape.

Black Gum Quick Facts

Katherine Havemeyer Lilac Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: purple, orange, yellow, red
Flowers: pink to light purple
Berries: dark blue
Flavor: sour
Harvest: september to october
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON
Other Names: black tupelo, pepperidge tree, sour gum, tupelo
Other Names: katherine havemeyer french lilac