General Information

• Family: Hamamelidaceae (same as witch hazel)

• Growth Habit: Evergreen shrub, typically 4–10 feet tall (some dwarf cultivars stay smaller).

• Leaves: Oval, 1–2 inches, usually deep green but many cultivated varieties have burgundy, purple, or bronze foliage.

• Flowers: Fragrant, spidery clusters resembling fringe or ribbons. They bloom in spring (sometimes again in fall).

  • Wild type: white flowers

  • Ornamental cultivars: pink, magenta, or red flowers

  • Common Names: Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum

Popular Cultivars

• ‘Ruby’ – compact size, ruby-red foliage, pink blooms.

• ‘Purple Diamond’ – deep purple leaves, bright pink flowers.

• ‘Snow Muffin’ – white flowers, green foliage, dwarf form.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Light: Full sun to part shade (best foliage color in sun, but afternoon shade helps in hot climates).

• Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Avoid alkaline soils (may cause yellowing).

• Water: Moderate; keep moist when establishing, then drought-tolerant once mature.
  

Care & Maintenance

• Pruning: Minimal; prune after flowering to shape if necessary. Avoid heavy pruning in late summer/fall.

• Pests/Diseases: Generally pest-free, but can suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.

• Uses: Excellent for hedges, foundation plantings, borders, containers, or specimen shrubs.

Fertilizing

• Spring – Autumn (Active Growth):

  • Use an acid-loving plant fertilizer (like azalea or camellia feed) every 4–6 weeks.

  • Balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., NPK 10:10:10 or 14:14:14).

• For More Blooms: Phosphorus-rich fertilizer (like 10:20:10) once in spring.

• Organic Boost: Add compost, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure around the base once or twice a year.

• Winter: Feeding not needed (plant growth slows).