How To Grow And Care For Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower)

Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is an easy shrub to grow in the South. You can practically plant it and forget it. But you won'tbecause of the attention-getting whitepinkcreamy whiteor reddish-purple blooms. Also called Chinese fringe flowersthese natives of woodlands in Southeast AsiaChinaand Japan have rich green or purplish evergreen foliage that plays beautifully against the flowers.

Loropetalum shrubs are related to witch hazels. The clusters of fringe-likestrappy flowers appear from late winter into spring and early summer. The plants have a naturalgraceful 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 hedgebut there are smaller forms for containers and borders. Here's how to grow and care for Chinese fringe flower.

Plant Attributes

Loropetalum Care

Loropetalum grows well in small groups or as specimen plantshedgesbordersor screens. They range from 6 to 15 feet tall and come in dwarfmedium-sizedand tall types that weep or grow upright. Taller ones grow faster than smaller onesand 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.

Light

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.

Soil

Loropetalum prefers richloamylooseslightly acidic to neutral soil (4.0 to 7.0 pH) that drains quickly. Avoid planting in heavy soils that drain poorlywhich can result in disease. Higher pH soil can result in chlorosisor yellowing leaves.

Water

Water newly planted shrubs thoroughly and deeply. Then water regularlyif there's insufficient rainfallto 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.

Temperature And Humidity 

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.

Fertilizer

Mulch loropetalum with 2 to 4 inches of pine strawshredded barkor 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.

Types of Loropetalum

There are several varieties and cultivars of loropetalum with varying foliage colors and sizes. Here are some of the most popular:

• 'Burgundy': Reddish-purple leaves age to purple-green or dark olive. In fallolder leaves are orange-red or red. The flowers are hot pink. It grows 6-10 feet tall and wide in Zones 7 to 9.
• 'Daruma': This compact variety grows to about 3 feet tall and wide. Plum-colored leaves contrast with bright pink blooms.
• Jazz Hands®: This series includes several miniaturedwarfand variegated varieties. White has dark green leaves and grows up to 5 feetwhile Mini has deep purple leavesmagenta flowersand a sprawling height of 12 inches.
• Emerald Snow®: This semi-dwarf variety has new lime-green leaves that turn rich green. The flowers are creamy-white on a shrub that grows about 4 feet tall and wide.
• 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia': This variety can be grown as a small tree and has deep pink flowers held against blackish-maroon leaves. It will grow 8-15 feet tall and wide.
• 'Carolina Midnight': This large loropetalum has dark foliagefuschia flowersand an upright formgrowing to 10-15 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide.
• Purple Pixie®: Purple Pixie is an undeniably cuteweeping loropetalum from the Southern Living Plant Collection. It looks great as a groundcover or in containersespecially against lime-green foliage.
• Red Diamond™: If you prefer red blooms over pinkthis bronze variety fits the bill. It grows 6 feet wide and tall.

Pruning

Prune loropetalum to control their size or shape after the flowers fade in spring. Remove brokendeador diseased branches. Loropetalum can tolerate heavy pruning if used as topiariesBonsaior around foundationsbut remove no more than 1/3 of the plant at a time to keep it healthy. Since this shrub flowers on old woodwait until after flowering to prune—usually summer.

Propagating Loropetalum

Loropetalum easily propagates from softwood cuttings in spring or summer. Before propagatingbe sure that your plant is not patented. Patented plants are illegal to propagate. You can check the taglabelor container to see if your plant is patent-protected. Patented plants will bear a trademarkregistered trademarkor patent number by their name. Here's how to propagate loropetalum:

1. Using pruning shears or a sharp knifetake a 6-inch cutting of softwoody growth.
2. Leave at least two sets of top leaves and remove the rest. 
3. Dip the ends in rooting hormone and stick them in a 50/50 mix of perlite and peat. 
4. Create a greenhouse effect by covering them with clear plastic bags but not letting the plastic touch them. Keep the soil moist. 
5. Roots should develop in four to six weeks. Transfer to a larger pot as neededthen transplant in the following growing season.
   

Potting And Repotting 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 mixkeeping 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-boundusing fresh potting mix and a clean pot that is a size larger.

Overwintering

Loropetalum is an evergreen perennialbut 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 winterbut watering is not required unless the soil dries out.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

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 pesticideswhich kill beneficial insects that help control aphids. Deter scale by keeping plants healthy through proper fertilizing and watering. Prune away branches with heavy-scale infestationsuse double-sidedsticky tape trapsor 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 yellowwitherand drop prematurely. Bacterial gall is also an issue for loropetalum. While there is no curefungicides may discourage galls from spreading. Keep loropetalum healthy by avoiding overcrowding when planting and watering from overhead. Plusalways use clean pruning tools and shears.

How To Get Loropetalum To Bloom

There are several reasons why loropetalum may not bloom. Shrubs may bloom sparsely if they don't receive enough sunlight. If planted under treesthe overhead shade might prevent loropetalum from flowering. Additionallypruning 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 deadheadingbut removing spent blooms can keep it looking neater.

Common Problems With Loropetalum

While loropetalum is relatively easy and requires little carethere are still some issues to know so you can treat them. Here's what to know:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellow leaves may mean your soil is too alkaline. To fix this problemchlorosisadd 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 yellowwitherand drop prematurely. Cut off badly diseased stems and branches or spray with fungicide. Fungicides won't cure this diseasebut they can help prevent its spread.

Leaves Turning Black/Brown 

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. AdditionallyLoropetalum foliage can turn brown from frost exposure. These plants tend to enjoy warmer climates and can only tolerate weather as low as 0°F.