Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim’
(previously known as Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’)
Overview
Uses: Foundation plantings, mixed borders, informal hedges, walkway and patio edges, small-space gardens, cutting.
Benefits: Intense spicy-sweet fragrance on a shrub small enough for a front bed, bloom that arrives two to three weeks after common lilac finishes, strong resistance to the powdery mildew that disfigures French hybrids, and burgundy fall foliage that extends the season.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Life Cycle: Deciduous Shrub
Growth Habit: Upright, Rounded — dense multi-stemmed form that broadens with age.
Bloom Color: Lavender to Purple
Foliage Color: Dark Green, maturing to Burgundy in fall
Mature Height: 4–7 feet
Mature Width: 5–7 feet
Bloom Season: Late Spring into Early Summer
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Summary
The lilac that shows up after the others have gone over, on a plant that fits beside the front door.
Common lilac is a wonderful thing in a large yard and a problem everywhere else, throwing suckers and reaching twelve to fifteen feet. ‘Miss Kim’ is the alternative most gardeners are actually looking for. It holds a dense, upright, rounded shape at four to seven feet, which puts the flowers at nose height beside a walk or patio instead of over the roofline.
Deep purple buds open to panicles in lavender shading toward icy blue, and the fragrance is stronger and spicier than the familiar French lilac scent. Bloom comes late, generally two to three weeks after common lilac has finished, which stretches lilac season further into the year than a single-variety planting can.
The foliage earns its keep too. Leaves are narrow, dark green, and notably resistant to powdery mildew, the gray film that leaves so many lilacs looking tired by August. In fall they turn burgundy, an unusual finish for the genus.
Collected as seed in Korea in 1947 and introduced through decades of trialing, it has held its place in the trade because it does the things gardeners actually want from a lilac in a size that most properties can accommodate.
Care
Korean Lilac ‘Miss Kim’ Care
Plant in full sun. Light shade is tolerated, but bloom drops off noticeably as shade increases, and good air circulation helps keep the foliage clean.
Soil should be average, well drained, and neutral to slightly alkaline. Lilacs dislike heavy wet ground and acidic soil; if your site runs acidic, working in lime before planting is worthwhile. Avoid low spots that hold water in spring.
Water deeply through the first two seasons. Established plants handle ordinary summer dry spells and need supplemental water only in extended drought.
Feeding is light. A single application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring is sufficient, and heavy nitrogen produces leaves at the expense of flowers.
Prune immediately after flowering. Lilacs set next year’s buds on the growth that follows bloom, so cutting later in the season removes the coming spring’s display. Removing spent panicles improves the following year’s bloom, and thinning the oldest stems every few years keeps the shrub open and productive.
Size
What Size is the Korean Lilac ‘Miss Kim’ for Sale Online?
Our Korean Lilac ‘Miss Kim’ ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Korean Lilac ‘Miss Kim’ Grow?
Expect roughly 4 to 7 feet tall and 5 to 7 feet wide at maturity. Growth is deliberate, and older plants continue to broaden slowly, so allow room rather than planting tight against a wall.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
- Miss Kim Lilac
- Korean Lilac
- Manchurian Lilac
Why is the botanical name sometimes listed as Syringa patula?
Both refer to the same plant. It was long sold as Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’, and that name still appears on older labels and in the nursery trade. The currently accepted name is Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim’.
How is it different from common lilac?
Three ways that matter in a garden. It stays far smaller, roughly half the height of a mature common lilac. It blooms two to three weeks later, extending the season. And it resists the powdery mildew that leaves French hybrids looking gray and tired by late summer. It also suckers far less freely. Compare it against other options in our Shrubs & Bushes collection.
Do deer eat Miss Kim lilac?
Lilacs are among the shrubs deer tend to pass over, and ‘Miss Kim’ is a sound choice where browsing is an issue. Pressure varies by region and season, so combining it with other deer-resistant shrubs and evergreens gives the most dependable result.
Does it attract pollinators?
Yes. The fragrant panicles draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds through late spring, and the late bloom fills a gap after early-spring flowers have finished.
