Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa patula)

Image: AI generated

Miss Kim Lilac Plant Care

Syringa patula (Palib.) Nakai

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

The Miss Kim lilac is a cultivar of lilac which was selected by Elwyn M. Meader while stationed in Korea as an army horticulturist.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

0–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Miss Kim Lilac?

Plant Miss Kim Lilac in full sun to partial shade and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F (-18–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Miss Kim Lilac Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Miss Kim Lilac?

Miss Kim Lilac (Syringa patula) belongs to the Oleaceae family within the Syringa genus. Miss Kim Lilac is native to Korea and Northeast China. Miss Kim Lilac is also known as Dwarf Korean Lilac, Korean Lilac.

Miss Kim Lilac displays a deciduous shrub or small tree growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Miss Kim Lilac produces fragrant clusters of tubular flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Miss Kim Lilac?

Water a young or newly planted Miss Kim Lilac every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Miss Kim Lilac Need?

Miss Kim Lilac thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Miss Kim Lilac Prefer?

Syringa patula tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Miss Kim Lilac prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

0–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Miss Kim Lilac?

Well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. Good drainage is essential for Miss Kim Lilac to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Miss Kim Lilac?

Feed Miss Kim Lilac every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Miss Kim Lilac?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic pH. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Miss Kim Lilac?

Miss Kim Lilac can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Miss Kim Lilac?

Prune Miss Kim Lilac while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Miss Kim Lilac in Winter?

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

How Do You Propagate a Miss Kim Lilac?

Miss Kim Lilac can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lilac bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Miss Kim Lilac Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Miss Kim Lilac, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Miss Kim Lilac?

Miss Kim Lilac is susceptible to aphids, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Keep exploring plants

Miss Kim Lilac is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Syringa genus — compare its care with other Syringa species on PlantoScan.

Syringa is part of the Oleaceae plant family — browse all Oleaceae genera and species.

Miss Kim Lilac thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Syringa patula (Palib.) Nakai, family Oleaceae (first published in Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 40: 148 (1926)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Miss Kim Lilac, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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