James H. Schutte
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Botanical Name
Loropetalum chinense
Plant Common Name
Chinese Fringeflower, Fringe Flower, Loropetalum
General Description
A member of the witchhazel family, this medium-sized, broadleaf evergreen shrub is native to Japan and China. Fragrant, spider-like, white flowers appear in late winter and early spring and sporadically at other seasons. The arching, spherical habit and rich green rounded leaves are attractive year-round.
Chinese fringeflower grows best in light shade and acid, humus-rich soil. It will handle full sun exposures in fertile and moist soils. In the colder part of its range it will be deciduous, and give it some winter wind protection. It works well in mixed borders, foundation plantings, and large containers. Variety rubrum has pink flowers and its cultivars have an array of foliage that either emerges a deep burgundy in color, or remains such year-round.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Width
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Late Winter
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Native To
China, Japan
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Bark Color
Copper, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No