MISS KIM LILAC
Syringa pubescens ssp. patula 'Miss Kim'
Believe it or not, there are advantages to gardening in a subzero climate. One example: lilacs.
These spring-flowering beauties need long stretches of winter cold to bloom well. (Tough luck, Florida!) Of the many lovely lilacs that Minnesotans can grow, Miss Kim lilac has special charms.
It keeps a nice dense, rounded form, unlike the leggy look of common lilac. It sports dark green foliage that's resistant to powdery mildew. And it's one of few lilacs to develop attractive fall color, a soft reddish-purple.
Best of all, Miss Kim is a late bloomer. After the common lilacs have peaked, Miss Kim puts out a profusion of 4- to 6-inch-long flowers. Although their color (a pale bluish-lavender) isn't among the showiest of lilacs, it has a sweet fragrance that will waft through the neighborhood.
This easy-care shrub can be planted singly or in groups. Its dense growth makes it a good choice for informal hedges. And, because of its dark foliage, it can serve as the perfect backdrop for colorful annuals, perennials and ornamental grasses. Wherever you plant it, be sure to wander out and enjoy its fragrance on warm spring evenings.
NANCY ROSE
Plant type: Deciduous shrub.
