The Miss Kim lilac (Syringa pubescens subsp. patula) is a subspecies of lilac which was categorized by Elwyn M. Meader while stationed in Korea as an army horticulturalist.[1] It was supposedly named after Elwyn M. Meader's Korean helper, whose name was "Kim".[2] This species is endemic to the areas of Korea and Northeast China.[3] The most commonly used name for this subspecies is Miss Kim Lilac yet there are many others used. Flowers produced by this species are of pink, purple, and a light blue hues which accompany a sweet smelling aroma. Alongside flower production fruits called loculicidal capsules are produced. This species tends to bloom in the spring months.
These are deciduous flowering, thinning shrub plants[4] Every winter Miss Kim Lilac which is a multi-stemmed woody organism[5] loses its flowers and leaves before it goes dormant for the winter season. Due to this species late bloom season, it is hold less likely of a risk of flower bud damaged due to freezing weather conditions.[6] Individual plants grow may grow between 1 and 3 meters tall (4 to 9 ft) with a width being between 1.5 meters to 2.2 meters (5 to 7 ft) retrospectively. This species grows at a stagnant rate with full maturity of an individual shrub taking up to three years. Leaves tend to be green during bloom season. In later seasons, they may look red or in some cases burgundy. The leave foliage of this species is a rounded, smaller configuration when compared to leaves of other lilac species. This species tends to grow exceedingly well in areas with hardiness zones between 3 and 8.
These flowers most commonly bloom in mid to late spring between the months of April and May. Each shrub yields tight panicle clusters of purple-tubular modeled flower buds that are 4" to 6" in size which grow in pairs. Each singular flower consists of a four-lobed corolla, accompanied by a corolla tube, length being 5 to 20 millimetres (0.20 to 0.79 in) long; they are monoecious species. The pistils of each flower contains the fertile stamens and stigmas that are used for reproduction. Lilac plants require an interval of a cold-front for flowering purposes before it they go dormant for the season.[7] At full bloom, each flower will consist of 4-5 petals. The shades of the flowers may vary between light hues of purple, pink, and light hues of blue. Of the overall species of lilacs, Miss Kim lilacs produce the most fragrant flowers during bloom season.[8]
This species blooms relatively late in the spring when it is warm, which limits how susceptible individual plants are to mildew and mold growth from moist environments. Within the soil, it must be well-draining and in an area where water is not likely to pool but, that stays relatively moist. Too much or too little water may lead to a 'Miss Kim' plant that does not bloom. It also needs plenty of direct sunlight. This plant requires pruning directly after it has flowered for the season to maintain annual blooming of flowers.[9] Without pruning deadhead flower buds before winter, new flowers may not grow back in the following bloom season.
Syringa pubescens susp. patula is native to areas of north-eastern China, Korea, and Manchuria. Today, they can be found all over the United States but, most specifically in areas where the USDA Cold Hardiness is between 3 and 8. Some of these states include AR, WA, CA, and OH. Within these states, the weather conditions are suitable enough for established lilacs to survive in temperatures as low as .
While common lilacs were growing within Europe another species of lilacs were explored and examined. This new species was found in various areas within damp mountains of the Korean Pouk Han Mountains at high elevations and wide-spaces areas amongst other organisms. The subspecies of Syringa oblata and Pubescentes were collected and later investigated. Explorer Elwyn Meader during the course of an expedition in the Pouk Han Mountains selected some seeds from a collection which later was classified as the 'Miss Kim Lilac'.[10]
Like most other magnoliophyta phylum plants these plants are fertilized through pollen being carried by a pollinator or self-fertilization of plants.[11] The lilac species is known for self-pollinating through male flowers and female flowers on the same plant.[12] Furthermore, pollinators have a large level of importance within agriculture for plants to reproduce annually.[13] Specific pollinators of this plant include but, are not limited to, butterflies, birds, bees, and other insects.
The lilac species is a common plant used within individuals' gardens and agricultural conservation areas. Overall, the plant adds color and fragrance to the areas in which it inhabits. The growth of the plant is rather slow which makes it a great fit for individuals who do not have excess time to spend within their gardens everyday. Planting specimens of this species in areas where there is an ample amount of sun and relatively well-drained soil will lead to successful flower blooming and a consistent growth rate. The soil surrounding the plant must also be slightly acidic.