Lilac 'Miss Kim' vs Common lilac
Common lilac is the tall, suckering old shrub with the famous scent, 12 feet and more in time, and it often gets mildewed leaves by late summer. 'Miss Kim' is a Korean lilac, half the size, flowering a little later, with good resistance to mildew and burgundy autumn colour: the lilac for a border rather than a boundary.
 Lilac 'Miss Kim'Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim' |  Common lilacSyringa vulgaris | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 11½ ft tall, 10 ft wide |
| Plant | 5 ft apart | 8 ft apart |
| Zones | 3 to 8 | 3 to 7 |
| Light | Full sun | Full sun |
| Soil | Well-drained, average fertility | Well-drained, average fertility |
| Flowers | Late May to mid June; lavender | Early May to late May; lavender, purple, white, pink |
| Leaves | Medium, deciduous | Medium, deciduous |
| Job in a bed | Anchor | Anchor |
| Pets | No toxicity recorded | No toxicity recorded |
| Deer | Resistant | Resistant |
| Native | No | No |
| Spread | Low risk | Moderate risk |
Rows where they differ are marked. Flowering times are for zone 5.
Which to choose
- Choose lilac 'Miss Kim' for warmer gardens (to zone 8) and a smaller space (6 ft against 11½ ft).
- Choose common lilac for more height (11½ ft against 6 ft) and more wildlife.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. Beside lilac 'Miss Kim', common lilac is in flower together for two weeks, from late May; tall enough (11½ ft) to stand behind it. They share full sun and zones 3 to 7.
Read more: all about lilac 'Miss Kim', and all about common lilac, each with a bed the planner designed around it.