The Miss Kim lilac is a small flowering shrub that loses its leaves in the fall. In the spring, it has clusters of very fragrant, lavender-purple panicle-shaped flowers. Compared to the common or French lilac (Syringa vulgaris), it has smaller flowers, a shorter mature height, and a different flower scent. It is also less likely to get powdery mildew than the common lilac. Miss Kim needs six to eight hours of sun, slightly acidic but well-drained soil, and can survive in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Miss Kim lilac (Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim’) is a compact, dwarf variety loved for its fragrant, lavender-pink blooms in late spring. However, if your Miss Kim isn’t flowering well, it can be disappointing. Here are 10 common reasons a Miss Kim lilac may fail to bloom and what you can do to get those pretty flowers back:
1. Too Much Shade
Miss Kim lilacs need full sun to bloom well They require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day If your Miss Kim is planted in too much shade from trees, buildings or other landscape plants, it won’t get enough light to flower properly. Prune back encroaching branches or move the lilac to a sunnier location. Morning sun is especially important.
2. Insufficient Air Circulation
Good airflow around lilacs prevents fungal diseases. If other plants are crowding the Miss Kim, prune them back Give lilacs plenty of breathing room on all sides. Proper spacing prevents humidity from building up in the canopy
3. Excessive Fertilization
High nitrogen fertilizers promote leaf growth over flowers. Miss Kim lilacs don’t need much fertilizer. Avoid high-nitrogen mixes. If you must fertilize, use a balanced 10-10-10 or organic compost to prevent lush foliage at the expense of blooms.
4. Over-Pruning
Miss Kim lilacs bloom on old wood. Pruning off too many stems and flower buds before blooming removes potential flowering shoots. Always prune immediately after flowering before the next season’s flower buds form.
5. Root Damage
Wounded, diseased or compacted roots can’t take up nutrients and water properly. Prevent root damage from disease, poor drainage, drought stress and lawn mower or string trimmer injury. Mulch around the root zone to maintain moisture.
6. Late Spring Frost
A freeze after the flower buds have swollen can kill them, preventing bloom. Cover lilacs with a sheet overnight if late frost is predicted when buds are developed. Select late-blooming varieties to avoid most frosts.
7. Pests Like Borers
Borers and scale insects feed on lilac stems and leaves, weakening the plant so it can’t bloom well. Check for pest damage. Apply horticultural oil sprays. Remove infested stems. Keep lilacs healthy to withstand pests better.
8. Disease Problems
Bacterial blight and fungal issues like verticillium wilt can weaken lilacs and decrease flowering. Prune off affected plant parts promptly. Disinfect pruning tools between cuts. Improve air flow and avoid overwatering to prevent diseases.
9. Age of Shrub
As lilac shrubs get older, their flowering decreases. After 10-15 years, remove the largest stems at ground level to rejuvenate the shrub and improve bloom production. The Miss Kim is grafted onto standard lilac rootstock, so it has a shorter lifespan.
10. Environmental Stress
Extreme heat, drought stress and waterlogged soil can prevent good flowering. Mulch lilac root zones to moderate moisture and temperature. Water thoroughly during dry periods. Improve drainage in soggy locations. Protect from harsh wind and intense afternoon sun.
Examine your Miss Kim’s growing conditions and care regimen if it’s not blooming well. Ensure it gets sufficient sunlight, air circulation, proper pruning and ideal soil conditions. Avoid over-fertilization, root damage and pests. With appropriate solutions, your Miss Kim lilac will reward you with an abundance of sweetly scented, lavender-pink flower clusters.
Light
The Miss Kim lilac, like its cousins, prefers full sun to bloom well. It can tolerate some shade, but it wont produce as many blooms. An ideal location receives direct sun for at least six to eight hours per day.
Potting and Repotting ‘Miss Kim’ Lilac
For container gardening, lilac shrubs aren’t usually a good choice, but Miss Kim can be because it grows slowly and isn’t too big. Use a large, heavy, deep pot at least 12 inches in diameter. A terra-cotta or ceramic planter will be sufficiently heavy to resist blowing over.
Most potting mixes are slightly acidic because they contain a lot of peat moss. If you want to plant alkaline-loving lilacs, you will need to change the potting mix by adding about 1 cup of agricultural lime for every 2 cubic feet of potting mix before planting.
It’s not easy to move an adult lilac plant, so it’s best to start with the biggest pot you can find. If a Miss Kim plant in a pot gets too big and starts to lose its shape, it needs to be moved to a bigger pot. Plan to do this every two to four years.
A shrub in a pot is more likely to get hurt by cold weather than a plant in the ground, so if you live in an area with especially harsh winters, you should move your potted lilac to a protected spot. Some gardeners will bury the entire pot for the winter. To keep the plant warm in the winter, you could also pile compost or leaf mulch around the whole pot.
“Miss Kim” Lilac – Did Not Bloom For The Year 2022
FAQ
Why doesn’t my Miss Kim lilac bloom?
Why is my lilac not flowering?
What is the best fertilizer for Miss Kim lilacs?
When do Miss Kim lilacs bloom?
Their fragrant lavender -colored blooms appear in late spring and last for several weeks. Miss Kim Lilacs are also known for their beautiful fall foliage, which turns shades of burgundy and bronze. The best time to plant Miss Kim Lilacs is in the fall or early spring.
Are Miss Kim lilacs cold hardy?
Miss Kim lilacs, also known as Syringa patula ‘Miss Kim,’ are a deciduous shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall and wide. They are cold-hardy shrubs that can survive in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. These lilacs are known for their fragrant, lavender -colored flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer.
Do Miss Kim lilacs need full sun?
Prune immediately after flowering to shape. The ‘Miss Kim’ lilac, like its cousins, prefers full sun to bloom well. It can tolerate some shade, but it won’t produce as many blooms. An ideal location receives direct sun for at least six to eight hours per day.
Is Miss Kim a lilac?
It is originated in Korea and is also considered a “Manchurian” lilac (according to Fine Gardening). The taxonomy of this plant is Syringa pubescens subsp. patula ‘Miss Kim.’ Unlike many other lilac varieties, this shrub can withstand U.S. “Miss Kim” usually starts to bloom three to five years after planting.
How to grow Miss Kim lilacs?
Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil while also suppressing weed growth. Pruning is another essential aspect of cultivating Miss Kim lilacs successfully. Pruning should be done annually after blooming season ends but before new growth begins in spring.
Do Miss Kim lilacs need to be pruned?
A ‘Miss Kim’ lilac requires less pruning than the common lilac, Syringa vulgaris because it doesn’t produce suckers that need to be removed. But you might want to prune the bush to shape the plant, maintain a certain height, or encourage reblooming. Prune right after the blooming period because ‘Miss Kim’ blooms on old wood.