Loropetalum chinense
( lor - oh - PET - al - um chai - NENZ )
At-A-Glance InformationThis species of evergreen shrub, commonly called Chinese Fringe Flower, needs partial shade in warm climates and regular water. It is native to China and Japan, and has a compact habit with drooping, graceful branches clothed in light green leaves. Occasionally, random leaves will turn yellow or red. Flowers are white to green, and have narrow, twisted petals. Flowering is heaviest in springtime, but can really happen at any time throughout the year given favorable conditions.
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Loropetalum chinense Varietals
The genus Loropetalum includes four species of shrubs, and is a member of the Witch-Hazel family, Hamamelidaceae. Loropetalum chinense is by far the most widely grown species of the four in western gardens. This shrub grows best in zones 6-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Caring for and pruning Loropetalum chinense shrubs
Plant your Loropetalum shrub in either partial or full sun. The more sun your shrub gets, the better foliage color it will have and the more profuse blooming will be. These shrubs prefer well-draining soil that is kept regularly moist, especially during the active growing season. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely before watering again. The best soil pH for Loropetalum shrubs is slightly acidic to neutral (between 4.0 and 6.5). Apply mulch around the base of the plant to ensure the best soil moisture retention possible. Fertilize these shrubs in spring and again in late summertime with a slow-release balanced fertilizer. If you are growing your shrub in a container, it may benefit from three feedings yearly.
Prune to control for size and shape; these shrubs will regrow quickly. The best time to prune Loropetalum is in early springtime before new growth starts to pop out for the year. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and trim branch tips lightly to promote branching and a more bushy habit overall.
Prune to control for size and shape; these shrubs will regrow quickly. The best time to prune Loropetalum is in early springtime before new growth starts to pop out for the year. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and trim branch tips lightly to promote branching and a more bushy habit overall.
Propagation
Loropetalum can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Loropetalum by Cutting
Propagating Loropetalum by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Problems and Pests
Although these shrubs are considered to be relatively pest and disease free, make sure to keep an eye out for these common garden pests:
- Aphids
- Scale Insects
- Spider Mites
Gallery
Videos
How to care for these shrubs in your garden.
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Why should you choose Loropetalum as your next garden addition?
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How to grow Loropetalum plants from cuttings.
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All about Loropetalum shrubs.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 422, Loropetalum chinense
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