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Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Image of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Hamamelidaceae

Botanical Name

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

Plant Common Name

Chinese Fringeflower, Fringe Flower, Loropetalum, Purple-leaved Chinese Fringeflower

General Description

Redleaf Chinese fringeflower is a broadleaf evergreen shrub native to Japan and China. It bears fragrant, spidery pink flowers in late winter and early spring and sporadically at other seasons. The arching, spherical habit and bronze-green to burgundy, rounded leaves are attractive year-round.

This shrub grows best in light shade and acid, humus-rich soil. In the colder part of its range, give it some winter wind protection. It works well in mixed borders, foundation plantings, and large containers. Make sure to select the proper cultivar as there is great variation in mature shrub heights. Many grow quite tall and vigorous and are not so easily maintained as a tightly-pruned low edging, hedge or groundcover.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m

  • Width

    6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Late Winter

  • Native To

    China, Japan

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Pink, Fuchsia, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Dark Red, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Burgundy, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Copper, Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No