Miss Kim vs Palibin lilac
The two most sold small lilacs, both from Korea and northern China, and both half the size of the common lilac or less. 'Palibin', the dwarf Korean lilac, is the denser and more compact, smothered in pinkish-lavender flowers, and does not sucker. 'Miss Kim' is a little taller, flowers a little later, with icy-lavender flowers from purple buds, takes more summer heat, and is the rare lilac with burgundy autumn colour. Both resist mildew far better than the common lilac.
 Lilac 'Miss Kim'Syringa pubescens subsp. patula 'Miss Kim' |  Dwarf Korean lilac 'Palibin'Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 5 ft tall, 6 ft wide |
| Plant | 5 ft apart | 5 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 | Late May to early June; lavender |
| 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 | Low 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).
- Choose dwarf Korean lilac 'Palibin' for dry summers.
Can they grow together?
Yes: they grow in the same conditions. What dwarf Korean lilac 'Palibin' brings beside lilac 'Miss Kim': in flower together for three weeks, from late May. They share full sun and zones 3 to 7.
Read more: all about lilac 'Miss Kim', and all about dwarf Korean lilac 'Palibin', each with a bed the planner designed around it.