A purchase from Cliff Orent, through Vintage Gardens had a well scented 1 1/2" lilac bloom right out of the box. It has Tea like branching, numerous tiny prickles, and the new leaves are blue-green. It does get BS and does lose it's leaves in extreme drought, but they returned with more water and cooler temperatures-when the 115/80's went to 80's and 70's at night.