Chapters

Growing Loropetalum chinense
Plants

Loropetalum - Growing Guide

Growing Loropetalum chinense

Commonly known as ‘Chinese Fringe Flower’

These plants are growing in popularity especially in milder regions for two reasons. They flower in winter or early spring which is a novelty and their foliage has a spectacular red, purple or multi-coloured effect. They are showing up in many more border designs and although hardy only to around -5°C they are performing well in city gardens and municipal park plantings.

Loropetalum are small shrubs found in the woodland of Japan and China. Their flowers are spider like and white in the true species. The flower cymes are around ¾in across and appear in profusion. The cultivars which we grow have reddish or pinkish purple flowers and are scented. The odd flower can appear in the nursery on these slightly odd shrubs at any time of the year.

The contrast or complementarity between the red or purple foliage and the flowers makes for a pleasing effect. This can be even more dramatic in L. chinense ‘Daybreak’s Flame’.

Loropetalum are best grown in partial shade with wind protection in fertile soil with plenty of compost added. They detest being waterlogged in a boggy area. Ultimately they may achieve 4-6ft in height with a similar spread but this takes quite a time. It is better to regard them as low mounded semi groundcover shrubs at first.

Semi-ripe new growth cuttings will root quickly with bottom heat.