Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri)

common name: 
Dwarf Korean lilac
 | 
scientific name: 
Syringa
 
meyeri
Purple lilac flowers cluster together, accented by green leaves in a garden setting.

Dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri) in full bloom west of Plant Science Hall on UNL’s East Campus, April 2026.

Image Creadit: 
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Dwarf Korean lilac (Syringa meyeri) is a compact, low-maintenance shrub valued for its fragrant spring blooms and tidy growth habit. In mid to late spring, it produces abundant clusters of lavender to pale purple flowers with a classic lilac fragrance that attracts pollinators. Compared to common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), it remains smaller and more refined, making it well suited for residential landscapes, foundation plantings, and smaller garden spaces. Its dense, rounded form requires minimal pruning, and it demonstrates improved resistance to powdery mildew.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Deciduous shrub
Hardiness Zones: 
3, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Water Needs: 
Moist
Space Requirements: 
6 -12 feet
Height Requirements: 
6– 0 feet
Spread Requirements: 
5–8 feet
Bloom Color: 
Pink
Lavender
Purple
Bloom Time: 
Spring
Leaf Color: 
Green
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Clay Soil
Air Pollution
Uses: 
Hedge
Varieties