These low-maintenance shrubs are blooming with potential and colorful flowers.
Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense) is an easy shrub to grow in the South.
you’re free to practically plant it and forget it.
Credit: Joshua McCullough/Getty Images
But you won’t, because of the attention-getting white, pink, creamy white, or reddish-purple blooms.
Loropetalum shrubs are related to witch hazels.
The clusters of fringe-like, strappy flowers appear from late winter into spring and early summer.
Credit: Courtesy of PDSI
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.
Here’s how to grow and care for Chinese fringe flower.
Credit:Southern Living Plant Collection
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.
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.
Avoid planting in heavy soils that drain poorly, which can result in disease.
Higher pH soil can result in chlorosis, or yellowing leaves.
Water
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 overwateringthey 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 0F.
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.
Remove broken, dead, or diseased branches.
Since this shrub flowers on old wood, wait until after flowering to pruneusually summer.
Propagating Loropetalum
Loropetalum easily propagates from softwood cuttings in spring or summer.
Before propagating, be sure that your plant is not patented.
Patented plants will bear a trademark, registered trademark, or patent number by their name.
Use a container that is slightly larger than the nursery pot with drainage holes.
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture.
Overwintering
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 0F.
Protect plants from harsh winter winds.
Loropetalum still needs moisture throughout the winter, but watering is not required unless the soil dries out.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Few pests or diseases bother loropetalum.
Knock off spider mitesor aphidswith 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.
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 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.
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.
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 0F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Loropetalum chinenseis 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.
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