Lil' Kim® Red Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus 'Lil' Kim Red'

Proven Winners®

Hardy in zones 5-9 with excellent heat tolerance and moderate drought resistance once established
Compact 3-4 ft size stays tidy without constant pruning, perfect for foundations, borders, and containers
Vivid red-magenta blooms with dark burgundy centers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees from midsummer through fall
Bred for minimal seed production, eliminating the aggressive self-seeding of traditional Rose of Sharon

$43⁹⁶

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Plant Size

#1 Contnainer #2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for the heaviest flowering. Plants grown in too much shade become leggy and produce fewer blooms. In hot southern climates, afternoon shade is acceptable.

Soil: Adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils as long as drainage is adequate. For heavy clay, work in compost and coarse organic matter to improve drainage. Sandy soils benefit from added organic matter to retain moisture. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.5) is ideal.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature plants tolerate dry spells but perform best with occasional deep watering during prolonged drought. Inconsistent moisture during the bloom period can cause buds to drop before opening.

Pruning Tips

Lil' Kim® Red blooms on new wood, so prune in late winter to early spring before new growth emerges. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches and shape as desired. Because flowers form on current-season growth, you can prune without worry of cutting off flower buds.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (10-10-10 or a bloom-boosting formula) in early spring as new growth begins. One annual application is sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which push leafy growth at the expense of flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

A lovely dwarf hibiscus variety, with rich, rose-pink blooms, and dark red eyes! This combo sets the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Lil' Kim® Red Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus 'SHIMRR38') apart from others! Dwarf Hibiscus are woody, deciduous shrubs that stay just the right size, reaching a height and spread of only 3 to 4 feet!

This long-lived, easy-care, and dependable summer-to-fall rebloomer puts forth its magnificent flowers atop its attractive and contrasting green foliage. Lil’ Kim® is compact, vase-shaped and very elegant anywhere you plant her. The foliage is broadly ovate, starting out in late spring as pale yellow-green and then becoming dark green for summer. Fall turns the foliage to yellow for the final show of the season!

Lil' Kim® Red is a wonderfully easy-to-grow ornamental flowering shrub! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 to 9, these Tropical Hibiscus cousins are just as exotic as they are easy to grow and cold-hardy! Also known as Althea, Red looks great with the others in the Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Lil' Kim® line of Rose of Sharon!

Planting and Application:

Perfect for a smaller yard, the Lil' Kim® Red Rose of Sharon's green foliage and unique bloom color will work wonderfully in conjunction with other flowering shrubs and perennials. The dwarf size makes it a great option for containers on your patio. You'll love the attention and visitors these shrubs attract, so set out a garden bench and see how many bees, butterflies, and Hummingbirds stop by for a visit!

Try planting Lil' Kim® in sunny, mixed borders or towards the back of your perennial border, for a sunny informal hedge loaded with color, foundation planting, or as a smaller focal point in your landscape! A single specimen planting or a grouping has as much an impact on your curb appeal as a magnificent en mass display! So use the vivid flowers to call attention to a berm in your front yard, or set your home apart when planted as either a single driveway marker or an entire division hedge between your yard and the sidewalk!

Lil' Kim® Red is perfect for sunny beds and borders, small gardens, and courtyards. Will be lovely as hedges and screen! This variety could be the perfect choice for use as screening all along the outside of your pool deck fencing. Place four feet apart on center, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next.

No yard? Grow Red as a "Thriller" in a large outdoor container or planter. Finally gain privacy on your balcony with a hard-working, lovely, flowering backdrop!

Rose Pink, with Red Eyes
Hardy Dwarf Variety - Easy Care Flowering Shrub
Attracts Pollinators & Hummingbirds
Starts Blooming When Other Shrubs are Done for the Season
Specimens & Focal Points, Low Hedges & Containers

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Lil' Kim® loves to be planted in full sun to part shade but flower production is best in full sun. Plant Rose of Sharon in average moisture locations, in well-drained organically rich soil but will also tolerate poor soil. Tolerant of drought, urban conditions, heat and humidity, deer don't prefer this hardy shrub! A three-inch layer of arborist mulch over the root systems keeps them happy and cool. Reapply regularly, and it will work to improve the condition of your soil over time.

If you need to prune Lil’ Kim®, prune back 2-3 buds in late winter or early spring to encourage larger blooms. You can prune Althea to shape them or reduce their height. We do recommend you allow them to fill out their naturally graceful full spread. Tidy them as you like, but shearing is perhaps a bit extreme. Renewal prune every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.

Full Sun
Any Kind of Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs
Appreciates Mulched Beds
Low Maintenance & Spring Pruning
Tolerates Salt & Deer Don't Prefer the Taste

The little beauty, Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Lil' Kim® Red Rose of Sharon from our experts at Nature Hills! You'll enjoy everything you love about Althea but in a neat and tidy, compact smaller form! Order today from Nature Hills Nursery, to have these blooming in your landscape next summer!

Tree Form vs. Shrub Form

The details make all the difference in a garden. At Naturehills.com, we understand that little things like what form a plant is can greatly impact how you plan your landscape. So before you buy, don't forget to check which form you're getting.

Tree Form:

These are plants that have one stem coming from the ground. Plants can also be considered single stem when lower branches are removed to raise the height of the branching to a more desired height. Sometimes, you will hear a tree form referred to as a single stem.

Shrub Form:

These are bushy plants with many stems and branchings close to the ground. They are referred to as shrubs or bushes and are often shorter than their tree forms.

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Growing Zones 5-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon work in my planting zone (e.g., zone 5 or 9)?

Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon is hardy in USDA zones 5-9, making it suitable for most temperate climates. This dwarf hibiscus tolerates both cold winters and hot summers well. Check your specific zone online and ensure you have a sunny location for best blooming.

What are the sunlight requirements for Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon?

Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon thrives in full sun for best flowering performance. This hardy shrub tolerates partial sun but produces fewer blooms in shadier conditions. Plant in a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum blooms from summer through fall.

Is Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon drought tolerant once established?

Rose of Sharon varieties like Lil' Kim Red develop good drought tolerance once their root systems are established, typically after the first growing season. This hardy shrub thrives in USDA zones 5-9 and performs best with regular watering during its first year. Once established, water deeply during extended dry periods for optimal summer-to-fall blooming.

What fertilizer does Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon require?

Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon thrives with minimal fertilization, needing only a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer applied in early spring. This easy-care shrub performs well in average soil without heavy feeding. Apply fertilizer once annually before new growth begins in late spring.

How is Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon packaged and shipped, and will it arrive healthy?

Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon ships as a well-rooted plant in protective packaging designed to maintain moisture and prevent damage during transit. Nature Hills' careful handling ensures your 3-4 foot hardy shrub (zones 5-9) arrives ready to establish quickly. Plant immediately upon arrival or keep watered until planting for best results.

How long does it take for Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon to establish and bloom profusely?

Lil' Kim Red Rose of Sharon typically establishes in one growing season and blooms reliably by its second year. This summer-to-fall rebloomer produces flowers consistently once established in zones 5-9. Plant in full sun and provide regular water the first year for best establishment.