Natural beauty: May's evocative lilacs

 ‘Aucubaefolia’ (S. v. ‘Aucubaefolia’) We can also thank Victor Lemoine for this handsome lilac with variegated green and yellow leaves. It was discovered by Gouchault in 1919 as a sport (a naturally occurring genetic mutation) of Lemoine’s 1886 introduction, S. v. ‘Président Grévy’. Bearing bunches of double, bluish flowers it’s hardy to Zone 3.