How to Plant and Grow Chinese Fringe Flower

A fast-growing evergreen shrub that blooms boldly in springChinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) delivers long-lasting interest to your landscape. Add it to a foundation planting or incorporate it in a perennial border for its evergreen foliage and shrubby texture.

Where to Plant Chinese Fringe Flower

Plant the Chinese fringe flower in soil that is rich in organic matter and drains well. It thrives in full sun or part shade. In USDA zones 8-10this shrub is deciduousbut in zone 7it requires protection from harsh winter winds. To do thiscover its root zone with a thick layer of mulch in late fall and remove the mulch in early spring.

This versatile shrub suits various landscape uses. Larger varieties effectively block unwanted views or hide utility areas like a wall or compost pile. You can plant a row as a dynamic hedge for a patio or outdoor room. Due to its strikingaromatic flowers and evergreen foliagethe Chinese fringe flower serves as a captivating focal pointanchoring a shrub planting or perennial border. Pair it with heavenly bamboolilyturfpittosporumjuniperor camellia for an easy-care shrub border.

How and When to Plant Chinese Fringe Flower

You can plant nursery-grown Chinese fringe flowers at any time of the year. Howeverthey will require extra watering during the hot summer months until they are established. To plantchoose a garden bed with soil that is rich in organic material and drains well. Dig a hole the same height as the container but two to three times as wide. Carefully remove the shrub from its container and gently loosen the roots. Position the shrub in the holeensuring the top of the root ball is level with or just below the surface of the soil. Refill the hole with soilpressing down firmly to eliminate any air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly after planting.

Chinese Fringe Flower Care Tips

Light

The Chinese fringe flower thrives in full sun or partial shade. Ideallychoose a site that receives full sun in the morning and light shade in the afternoon.

Soil and Water

This plant prefers moistorganically-richwell-drained soil. In dry regionsapply a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the root zone to help retain soil moisture. While well-established shrubs are drought-tolerantnewly planted ones need approximately 2 inches of water per week. Water deeply during extended droughts.

Temperature and Humidity

Chinese fringe flower shrubs flourish in USDA zones 8-10as well as in the milder sections of zone 7 provided they have wind protection. Moderate humidity is idealand in arid regionsoccasional misting is beneficial.

Fertilizer

In springapply a slow-releasegranular fertilizer designed for acid-loving plantssuch as those for azaleas and rhododendrons. Follow the product instructions for the correct amount to use.

Pruning

Pruning is only necessary to control plant size or remove damaged stems. You should prune in late fall after the flowering period.

Potting and Repotting Chinese Fringe Flower

Dwarf cultivarsreaching only 2-3 feet in heightare ideal for large patio containers. Use organically richwell-draining garden or commercial potting soil. Place the plant so the top of the root ball is just below the soil line and water thoroughly at the time of planting. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering than those in the groundso check the moisture level regularly. If the shrub outgrows its pot within a seasonrepot into a container at least 3 inches wider.

Pests and Problems

Chinese fringe flower is susceptible to common garden sap-sucking pests like aphidsmealybugsand spider mites.

Fungal lesions and galls can also affect the shruband while incurableyou can take steps to prevent or manage them. Remove and destroy any infected leaves. Clear away fallen leaves and twigs throughout the growing season and again in fall. To minimize moisture-related issueswater the plant from the base to keep the foliage dry.

How to Propagate Chinese Fringe Flower

The most effective method to propagate Chinese fringe flower shrubs is through stem cuttings. In spring or early summercut 6- to 8-inch softwood sections from a mature shrub. Strip the leaves from the lower halfleaving 2-3 leaves at the top. Dip the cut ends into a rooting hormone before planting them in small pots filled with moist potting soil. Cover each pot with a clear plastic bagensuring it doesn't contact the cutting's leavesand place them in a warmwell-lit areaperiodically checking to maintain soil moisture. Once new growth appearstypically in 6 to 8 weeksremove the plastic bags and transfer the pots to bright (but not direct) light. Wait to plant them in the garden until the following spring. Note: Gardeners shouldn't propagate patented shrubs.

Types of Chinese Fringe Flower

'Rubrum' Chinese Fringe Flower

Loropetalum chinense ‘Rubrum’ features broad leaves with stunning pink to red blooms and foliage that shifts from purple to greenish-purple. It reaches a height and width of 3-6 feetmaking it an ideal hedge or statement plant. This variety blooms with slightly aromatic flowers in March and April. Suitable for zones 7-10.

'Pizazz' Chinese Fringe Flower

Loropetalum chinense ‘Pizazz’ comes in delightful shades of pink or white to pale yellow. It grows up to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wideserving as a perfect privacy hedge. Best suited for zones 7-9.

'Snow Dance' Chinese Fringe Flower

Compact and eye-catching, Loropetalum chinense ‘Snow Dance’ offers showy whitespidery flowers in spring that continue to bloom throughout the year. It grows to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wideideal as an accent plant or in mass plantings. Suitable for zones 7-9.

'Emerald Snow' Chinese Fringe Flower

Among the smaller varietiesLoropetalum chinense ‘Emerald Snow’ showcases bright white flowers in spring and again in late summer to early fall. Standing at 2-3 feet tall with a spread of 3-4 feet'Emerald Snow' fits well in large containersgarden bedsor as a specimen plant in zones 7-10.