Hybridized by Max Peterson of Ogallala, Nebraska.
{S. meyeri var. meyeri × S. pubescens subs. julianae ‘Hers’}
Red Pixie is one seedling selected out of eight germinated from a pod of S. julianae ‘Hers’. The other seven seedlings appeared to be straight ‘Hers’.
It has the appearance of S. meyeri but the flowers are similar to S. julianae. However, ‘Red Pixie’ branches grow more horizontally, like those of ‘Hers’. The leaves are slightly larger than S. meyeri and slightly more pointed.
It matures to about 5 feet high and about 4 feet wide. Some years, the leaves have a reddish tinge along the edge. The blossom is single and similar to S. julianae . It opens ruby red and gradually fades to a light pink.
Syringa vulgaris ‘Sesquicentennial’
A Richard Fenicchia selection.
{‘Rochester’ × ‘Glory’}. Single violet (class II).
This Fenicchia hybrid displays large one-inch violet-lilac florets. Generally a very strong-growing shrub, suckering slightly. Many flower panicles are produced from lateral buds along the stem, making a tremendous display. This habit tends to make the flower-heavy stems bend under their own weight.
‘Sesquicentennial’ occasionally displays ‘Rochester’ multipetalling. Flowers with heavy fragrance. This lilac was named for the 150th anniversary of Monroe County, New York, the governing agency of Highland Park.
A Richard Fenicchia selection 1972; registered in 1988.
Photo courtesy of © Max Peterson