Lil' Kim® Rose of Sharon

Lil’ Kim® is a compact, upright rose of Sharon with white summer flowers and a prominent red-purple eye. Its dwarf habit suits sunny foundation beds, mixed borders and large containers where the familiar hibiscus flower can be enjoyed at close range. ## Flowers and form Proven Winners lists a mature height and spread of about 3–4 ft and a long summer flowering season. The Canadian Plant Breeders’ Rights description identifies the selection as ‘Antong Two’, bred by Shim Kyung-Ku, and describes its dwarf growth, white petals and purple-red flower eye. The U.S. patent record identifies Antong Two as USPP19547. ## Growing conditions Plant Lil’ Kim in full sun and well-drained soil. Proven Winners lists average water needs and USDA zones 5a–9b. The plant flowers on new wood, so it can be pruned before spring growth without sacrificing the season’s developing buds. Its compact form works in a container, as a specimen, or in a low flowering screen. Sources: [Proven Winners Lil’ Kim®](https://www.provenwinners.com/plants/hibiscus/lil-kim-rose-sharon-hibiscus-syriacus) · [Canadian Plant Breeders’ Rights: Antong Two](https://active.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/cropreport/ross/app00006447e.shtml) · [USPP19547](https://patents.google.com/patent/USPP19547P2/en) ## Maintenance Water regularly while the shrub establishes, then give it a deep drink during extended dry spells. Avoid persistently saturated soil. In late winter or early spring, remove damaged branches and lightly shape the outline; apply a shrub fertilizer in early spring according to its label. Established plants are listed as heat-, drought- and salt-tolerant, and the flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.