The Baby Kim Lilac is a charming dwarf shrub that packs a lot of beauty into a compact form. Here's what it should look like when healthy and in bloom:

🌸 Flower Appearance
Color: Soft lavender-purple blooms with a sweet fragrance.

Shape: Classic lilac panicles—cone-shaped clusters of small, tubular flowers.

Timing: Typically blooms in mid to late spring, though first-year plants may bloom later or less vibrantly.

🌿 Foliage & Form
Leaves: Deep green, oval-shaped, and slightly glossy.

Size: Grows to about 2–3 feet tall and wide, making it perfect for small gardens or borders.

Habit: Rounded, bushy, and well-behaved—no sprawling or leggy growth.

🌞 Growing Conditions
Sun: Thrives in full sun (6+ hours daily).

Soil: Prefers well-drained, alkaline soil.

Hardiness: Zones 3–8, with good resistance to disease and mildew.

Blooms, opening pale or pinkish white (like above), are likely due to heat stress or the plant still acclimating. Or both. Once the lilac settles in, it should bloom its signature purple flowers next spring.