That's probably because the former gardeners kept up with the shrub by shearing it repeatedly.
Sep 21, Place the cut down to the point of healthy plant tissue and just above a leaf node or bud. Dwarf Korean Lilac, known botanically as Syringa meyeri and commonly as Meyer Lilac is a large shrub lilac that blooms profusely in the late spring. Dwarf Korean Lilac rarely requires pruning, save to remove damaged or diseased wood or to control size.
how do you take care of a Korean dwarf lilac? Dwarf Korean Lilac Care Requirements: Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily), keep soil on the medium to dry side, very-low maintenance, pruning is optional.
If deadheading prune after first bloom to encourage more blooms. Pruning at the end of the blooming season (April to May) supports more blossoms in the coming year. A dwarf lilac (Syringa meyeri) is at the right side of this foundation bed (below). It's been pruned regularly so it's not as tall as it could be.
However, it has bulked up and also increased its height beyond what's good for this bed.
However, it has bulked up and also increased its height beyond what's good for this bed. In addition, a survey of the branch tips.