A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Antong Two’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; small long-lasting white-colored flowers with red purple-colored centers and venation; and good garden performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHibiscus, botanically known asHibiscus syriacus, commercially known as Rose-of-Sharon or Althea, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Antong Two’.

The newHibiscusis a naturally-occurring branch mutation of an unnamed selection ofHibiscus syriacus, not patented. The cultivar Antong Two was discovered and selected by the Inventor within a population of plants of the parent selection in a controlled environment in Andong Provence, South Korea in 1995.

Asexual reproduction of the newHibiscusby softwood cuttings in a controlled environment in Seoul, South Korea since 1996, has shown that the unique features of this newHibiscusare stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Antong Two’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Antong Two’ as a new and distinct cultivar ofHibiscus:1. Compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit.2. Freely branching habit.3. Dark green-colored leaves.4. Small long-lasting white-colored flowers with red purple-colored centers and venation.5. Good garden performance.

Plants of the newHibiscuscan be compared to plants of the parent selection. Plants of the newHibiscusdiffer primarily from plants of the parent selection in plant size as plants of the newHibiscusare more compact than plants of the parent selection.

Plants of the newHibiscuscan be compared to plants of theHibiscus syriacuscultivar Red Heart, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Grand Haven, Mich., plants of the newHibiscusdiffered from plants of the cultivar Red Heart in the following characteristics:1. Plants of the newHibiscuswere more compact and less vigorous than plants of the cultivar Red Heart.2. Plants of the newHibiscushad darker green-colored leaves than plants of the cultivar Red Heart.3. Plants of the newHibiscushad smaller flowers than plants of the cultivar Red Heart.4. Flowers of plants of the newhibiscuslasted longer than flowers of plants of thr cultivar Red Heart.5. Plants of the newHibiscushad smaller sepals than plants of the cultivar Red Heart.6. Plants of the newHibiscushad shorter peduncles than plants of the cultivar Red Heart.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION