Lil Kim® Red Rose of Sharon

• USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9
• Height 3-4 Feet Tall
• Spread 3-4 Feet Wide
• Light Requirement is Full Sun

Is it hot in here or is it Lil’ Kim® Red Rose of Sharon? This saucy little thing turns on the heat in the garden all summer long with deep rosy-red flowers that have a dramatic splash of red in the center. And look at that dwarf size—just 3-4 feet tall and wide. So you can tuck it in anywhere, even a pot! Like all Rose of Sharon shrubs, Lil’ Kim® loves hot weather and tolerates drought once established, so you won’t have to fuss over it when you’d rather be doing something else. In fact, this is about as easy-care as flowering shrubs get! Even the deer will cut you a break on this plant as they tend to forego it.

Lil’ Kim® is a sun worshiper, so site it where it can bask all day for the biggest flower show. It makes a nice anchor plant in a mixed border with sun-loving perennials. Also works great as a low hedge. And because of its small size, it can also be used in a large container. Wherever you plant it the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds will enjoy the abundant nectar it provides.

Lil’ Kim Red Rose of Sharon Care

Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sun per day—more sun = more blooms! Any average garden soil will do, so no need to amend or worry if your soil is challenging. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Slide the plant out of the pot and break up the roots a little. Back-fill with the native soil and water well. Keep watered during the first growing season.

Pruning Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon is not required, although some gardeners choose to cut back the plant to help rejuvenate it or to help keep its shape. If you do prune, do so in late winter or early spring. This plant blooms on new wood, so do not cut back in the summer. Trim dead and sick branches anytime of the year.

Lil’ Kim Red Rose of Sharon Spacing

Lil’ Kim® is half the size of full-size rose of Sharon shrubs, so it’s easy to find a place for it in the garden. If you are planting it in a perennial border, leave 2-3 feet all around it so it has room to fill in without crowding any other plants. You can fill in with annuals the first year or two if you like a fuller look. When planting in a mass or hedge, space them slightly tighter, 4 feet center-on-center. If you are planting Lil’ Kim® in a container, choose one that is at least 14 inches wide to accommodate the root ball and future growth.

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