These low-maintenance shrubs are blooming with potential and colorful flowers.
Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is an easy shrub to grow in the South. You can practically plant it and forget it. But you won't, because of the attention-getting white, pink, creamy white, or reddish-purple blooms. Also called Chinese fringe flowers, these natives of woodlands in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan have rich green or purplish evergreen foliage that plays beautifully against the flowers. Flower Pots & Planters
Loropetalum shrubs are related to witch hazels. The clusters of fringe-like, strappy flowers appear from late winter into spring and early summer. The plants have a natural, graceful shape and arching stems that deer tend to avoid. Plant loropetalum in the spring if you live at the cold end of its range. Most grow quickly to a substantial size and make a good hedge, but there are smaller forms for containers and borders. Here's how to grow and care for Chinese fringe flower.
Loropetalum grows well in small groups or as specimen plants, hedges, borders, or screens. They range from 6 to 15 feet tall and come in dwarf, medium-sized, and tall types that weep or grow upright. Taller ones grow faster than smaller ones, and they take well to pruning. They can be planted throughout the South except for Zone 6 gardens. Loropetalum roots are not known to be invasive.
Loropetalum thrives in filtered full sun or full sun with some afternoon shade. They need at least four hours of direct sun each day for the best leaf color and flowering.
Loropetalum prefers rich, loamy, loose, slightly acidic to neutral soil (4.0 to 7.0 pH) that drains quickly. Avoid planting in heavy soils that drain poorly, which can result in disease. Higher pH soil can result in chlorosis, or yellowing leaves.
Water newly planted shrubs thoroughly and deeply. Then water regularly, if there's insufficient rainfall, to keep the soil slightly moist. Established plants are very drought-tolerant and require less watering. Avoid overwatering—they can't take soggy soil or constantly wet roots. Mulch around the base of plants to help conserve moisture.
Loropetalum can tolerate cold temperatures as low as 0°F. Mulching over winter helps protect the plants. Protect plants from severe winds or harsh winter conditions. Moderate humidity levels are best for Chinese fringe flower.
Mulch loropetalum with 2 to 4 inches of pine straw, shredded bark, or aged wood chips. Don't let the mulch touch the plants—replenish it as needed. Feed shrubs in spring and early summer with an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer or shrub fertilizer. Follow the label instructions and water thoroughly.
There are several varieties and cultivars of loropetalum with varying foliage colors and sizes. Here are some of the most popular:
Prune loropetalum to control their size or shape after the flowers fade in spring. Remove broken, dead, or diseased branches. Loropetalum can tolerate heavy pruning if used as topiaries, Bonsai, or around foundations, but remove no more than 1/3 of the plant at a time to keep it healthy. Since this shrub flowers on old wood, wait until after flowering to prune—usually summer.
Loropetalum easily propagates from softwood cuttings in spring or summer. Before propagating, be sure that your plant is not patented. Patented plants are illegal to propagate. You can check the tag, label, or container to see if your plant is patent-protected. Patented plants will bear a trademark, registered trademark, or patent number by their name. Here's how to propagate loropetalum:
Many smaller varieties of loropetalum do well in containers. Use a container that is slightly larger than the nursery pot with drainage holes. Plant in a quality potting mix, keeping the surface of the root ball at or slightly above soil level. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture.
Repot your loropetalum if it starts to become root-bound, using fresh potting mix and a clean pot that is a size larger.
Loropetalum is an evergreen perennial, but the leaves may drop in colder climates. Protect their roots with mulch and cover them with burlap or shrub wraps if temperatures fall below 0°F. Protect plants from harsh winter winds. Loropetalum still needs moisture throughout the winter, but watering is not required unless the soil dries out.
Few pests or diseases bother loropetalum. Knock off spider mites or aphids with water from the hose or spray persistent infestations with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Avoid chemical pesticides, which kill beneficial insects that help control aphids. Deter scale by keeping plants healthy through proper fertilizing and watering. Prune away branches with heavy-scale infestations, use double-sided, sticky tape traps, or spray with horticultural oil.
Some diseases that impact loropetalum include fungal blights and powdery mildew. Anthracnose is a fungal blight that causes the foliage to turn yellow, wither, and drop prematurely. Bacterial gall is also an issue for loropetalum. While there is no cure, fungicides may discourage galls from spreading. Keep loropetalum healthy by avoiding overcrowding when planting and watering from overhead. Plus, always use clean pruning tools and shears.
There are several reasons why loropetalum may not bloom. Shrubs may bloom sparsely if they don't receive enough sunlight. If planted under trees, the overhead shade might prevent loropetalum from flowering. Additionally, pruning at the wrong time can prevent flowering since it blooms on old wood. Prune right after flowering to avoid removing the current or following year's flowers. Loropetalum does not require deadheading, but removing spent blooms can keep it looking neater.
While loropetalum is relatively easy and requires little care, there are still some issues to know so you can treat them. Here's what to know:
Yellow leaves may mean your soil is too alkaline. To fix this problem, chlorosis, add elemental sulfur or another material. Your local extension service agent can tell you what to use and how to apply it. Powdery mildew is also a reason for leaves to turn yellow, wither, and drop prematurely. Cut off badly diseased stems and branches or spray with fungicide. Fungicides won't cure this disease, but they can help prevent its spread.
Loropetalum with browning leaves is typically a sign that the plant is not receiving enough water. Brown leaves can also signify root damage or over-fertilization. Additionally, Loropetalum foliage can turn brown from frost exposure. These plants tend to enjoy warmer climates and can only tolerate weather as low as 0°F.
Loropetalum chinense is an Asian shrub in the witch hazel family, or Hamamelidaceae. The strappy flowers look similar to our native witch hazels, but are white or pink instead of gold. Unlike common witch hazel, loropetalum foliage is evergreen.
Most people grow Chinese fringe flower for the burgundy foliage, so look for other shrubs with bronze-colored leaves. Options include smokebush, barberry, weigela, nine bark, and some azaleas.
Tall Flower Pot University of Vermont. Plants and intellectual property.