It is native to the Provinces of Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan.

[2] It is a shrub growing to 3–6 m tall, with erect branches.

[3] The flowers are fragrant and range in colour from pink to mauve, sometimes with a white base; they are produced in early summer, rather later than most other cultivars,[4] on panicles 4–25 cm long and are attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.

The panicles often hang limply, which is how the plant got its common name; the clusters look as though they are nodding.

[2][5][6] There are two subspecies: Like most lilacs, it needs to be planted in full sun.