Loropetalum Chinense: How to Grow Chinese Fringe Flower

Loropetalum chinense is an evergreen shrub in the witch hazel family. Best known by the common name "Chinese fringe flower," it is a native species in China, Japan, and parts of the Himalayas. It is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, which helps it endure in wooded areas. Depending upon the cultivar, Loropetalum chinense can produce many different bloom colors.

The Chinese fringe flower's peak bloom time is in the early spring, but it produces partial blooms year-round. It has a medium to fast growth rate, with some cultivars reaching upwards of fifteen feet tall—the equivalent of a small tree. Other varieties have a more shrub-like growth habit, which can be appropriate for ground cover.

Over the course of many generations, gardeners have discovered and developed many varieties of Loropetalum chinense.

1. 1. ‘Red Diamond’: Also called 'Shang-red,' this cultivar works well as a hedge since it can grow upwards of six feet wide and six feet tall. Expect dark burgundy foliage and red flowers.
2. 2. ‘Purple Daydream’: Named for its dark purple foliage color, this dwarf cultivar has bright pink flowers. It can grow as tall as three feet high, but most plants end up being a bit smaller.
3. 3. ‘Purple Pixie’: This is another dwarf cultivar that maxes out around two feet high. However, it spreads widely (upwards of five feet), which makes it great for mass plantings as a ground cover. It has hot pink flowers and deep purple leaves.
4. 4. ‘Purple Diamond’: If you like the aesthetics of the 'Purple pixie' cultivar, but want a taller shrub, check out the 'Purple Diamond' variety. This can grow up to five feet tall and five feet wide, which makes it good for low hedging. It has the same hot pink flowers and dark purple leaves of the 'Purple pixie’ cultivar.
5. 5. ‘Jazz Hands White’: Known for its eye-catching white flowers that fan out like the "jazz hands" of musical theater actors, this is a dwarf species of the Chinese fringe flower. Expect dark green leaves for most of the year and an explosion of white flowers in the early spring.
6. 6. ‘Emerald Snow’: Another option with white flowers, this variety grows a bit larger than 'Jazz hands white' and has bright green foliage instead of dark green.
7. 7. ‘Ever Red’: This variety has some of the reddest flowers of any Chinese fringe flower that pair well with its variegated dark burgundy foliage. Expect this cultivar to grow as tall as five feet high.
8. 8. ‘Little Rose Dawn’: If you prefer your Chinese fringe flower to grow to the height of a small tree, consider 'Little Rose Dawn,' which traces its roots to the 'Ruby' Loropetalum chinense. In the right conditions, 'Little rose dawn' can grow ten feet tall and bloom with plenty of dark pink flowers.

Loropetalum chinense is a hardy species. If its foundation plantings survive their first year, the plant can live in your garden for many years. Consider some tips for planting and caring for this evergreen shrub.

1. 1. Hardiness zones: Loropetalum chinense does best in USDA hardiness zones seven through ten, or regions with warm weather.
2. 2. Soil: Plant your Chinese fringe flowers in well-draining, acidic soil. Standing water can cause root rot, and alkaline soils can cause yellow leaves.
3. 3. Sunlight: This plant does best in part shade to full sun. When planting on the cooler edge of its habitat (USDA hardiness zone seven), try to find a sunny spot for your Chinese fringe flowers. On the warmer end of its range, try planting it in partial shade.
4. 4. Watering: In the first year, keep your foundation plantings in moist soil but never in standing water. Water thoroughly to encourage deep roots. Once established, these plants are drought-tolerant.
5. 5. Regular care: Loropetalum chinense does best with year-round mulching. It also will show new growth when fertilized. Use a slow-release fertilizer in early April, and then reapply in May.
6. 6. Pruning: The Chinese fringe flower is an evergreen shrub, so it will always show active foliage. The best time to prune is in the late winter before its big growth surge in the early spring.
7. 7. Container gardening: Loropetalum chinense can live many years in a container. When you first plant it, pick a container that is at least eight inches wider than the root ball. This plant will grow over time, and you will either need to transfer it to new containers or prune it regularly.

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