Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)

Loropetalum, also called Chinese fringe flower, are evergreen, multi-stemmed shrubs of broadleaf variety that are most well-known for their delicate, fragrant blooms. Aside from their frilly flowers, the foliage of loropetalum is also of interest, changing colors throughout the year from hues of red to deep green. Plant these medium to fast-growing shrubs in the fall for clusters of subtly fragrant flowers in the spring.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Loropetalum chinense is commonly known as loropetalum, Chinese fringe flower and strap flower. Two forms of L. chinense exist; a white- (to pale-yellow-) flowering green-leafed variety and a pink-flowering variety with leaves varying from bronze-red when new to olive-green or burgundy when mature, depending on selection and growing conditions.

Loropetalum chinense can grow up to a magnificent height between 12’ and 15’ feet with an approximately 10’ foot spread.

There are smaller and more compact varieties, growing up to a maximum of 2’ to 3’ along with medium varieties growing around 4′ – 6′ feet tall. 

The common fringe flower has alternately-arranged ovate leaves. They have a slightly abrasive feel and are 1″ – 2” inches long and 1″ inch wide. The common species grows light to olive-green leaves in arching branches. These change colors with the season in some USDA zones to a red or yellow but remain green in others.

Loropetalum chinense var rubrum, on the other hand, has reddish-purple to burgundy foliage.

Flower color for Loropetalum chinense species depends on the variety. 

The common Chinese witch-hazel has creamy white flowers. 

Varieties like “Fire Dance”, “Raspberry Fringe”, and “Daruma” have pink flowers, ranging from dark pink and fuchsia to blush.

Each flower has narrow twisted, spidery, strap-shaped petals; hence, the common name strap flower. 

Come the bloom time in late winter, they start appearing in clusters and continue adding interest until early spring. 

They are lightly aromatic.

II. How to Grow and Care

Loropetalum grows well in small groups or as specimen plants, hedges, borders, or screens. They range from six to 15 feet tall and wide and come in dwarf, medium-sized, and tall types that weep or grow upright. Taller ones grow faster than smaller ones. Most are hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10. Loropetalum roots are not known to be invasive.

Sunlight

Grow Chinese fringe flower in a bright, sunny location that receives partial shade throughout the day. Ideally, these shrubs should be protected from intense midday rays but receive dappled morning sun. They can also tolerate growing in sunny to part-shady conditions.

Temperature and Humidity

Chinese fringe flowers grow best in USDA zones 7 to 10, tolerating winter temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 degrees Celsius). However, in regions that experience chilly winters, it is recommended that Chinese fringe flowers are planted in areas that protect them from cold winter winds.

Watering

Young plants should be kept deeply watered when it is hot outside. Plan on giving shrubs about 2 inches of water once or twice a week. Once established, Chinese fringe flowers are relatively drought tolerant. However, they grow best when the soil is kept consistently moist.

Soil

Chinese fringe flower requires well-draining, loamy, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. A pH between 4.5 to 6.5 is best. To help retain moisture and suppress weeds, mulch around the root ball of a Chinese fringe flower shrub with 2 to 3 inches of compost, straw, or aged wood chips.

Fertilizing

Mix compost into the soil at planting time. Not only will the compost act as a slow-release fertilizer, but it will also improve drainage. This is important for a loropetalum shrub, which is susceptible to root rot.1 For the same reason, when you plant the bush, be sure not to sink the top of the root ball below the soil surface. 

If they are planted in the right soil, Chinese fringe flowers require little to no supplemental fertilizer once they are established. If desired, established plants can benefit from annual fertilizing in early spring with a slow-release, all-purpose fertilizer, or one that is specially formulated for shrubs. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

However, Chinese fringe flowers that are planted in nutrient-poor soil will require additional feeding. Amend the soil regularly with organic matter such as compost, grass and leaf clippings, and manure (composted).

Pruning

These low-maintenance shrubs are extremely tolerant of the type of heavy pruning required for hedging, foundation plantings, and topiaries. However, Chinese fringe flower does not require this type of pruning, and grows into a naturally graceful shape that many appreciate. The flowers of this shrub bloom on old wood, so when pruning Chinese fringe flower, it is best to wait until after the blooming period in the summer to early fall.

Propagation

Chinese fringe flower can be propagated by softwood cuttings (fresh, new growth). Take these simple steps:

Take 6-inch cuttings of softwood growth in the spring or summer.

• Remove the leaves on the bottom 2 to 3 inches of each cutting, ensuring that at least two sets of leaves are left on the top.
• Dip the bottom of the cuttings in a rooting hormone.
• Plant them in a pot with a 50/50 mixture of peat and perlite. 
• Place plastic bags over the potted cuttings and make sure the bags are large enough so they do not touch the cuttings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Successful cuttings develop roots within four to six weeks. Plant them in your garden the following growing season.

Potting and Repotting 

Repot Loropetalum while pruning so it has fewer branches for its root system to support. Carefully dig up the Loropetalum plant by creating a wide circumference around the root system. If moving Loropetalum into a container, choose a dwarf or slow-growing variety. Use containers with drainage holes and a quality potting mix.

Overwintering

Loropetalum is popular in the Southeastern United States, and it may survive in a colder climate but most likely will not be evergreen there. If your winters are frosty, increase the shrub’s chances of survival by applying garden mulch to protect its root system and grow it where it will enjoy a warmer microclimate, such as a sheltered nook near a building.

Pests and Diseases

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Chinese fringe flowers are not especially susceptible to many pests or diseases, however, they can fall victim to common problems such as spider mites, aphids and root rot.2 The shrub may also be prone to diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew. A bacterial gall disease (caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi) could be found on leaves and stems of loropetalum shrubs growing in the southern parts of the United States.3

Common Problems 

Loropetalum is an easy-care, fuss-free plant. However, you may encounter a couple of problems that indicate the plant is under stress.

Yellowing Leaves

The yellowing of leaves (called chlorosis) may mean the soil in which the loropetalum is growing is too alkaline, reaching over 7.0 pH.3 A problem with mites may also cause the leaves to yellow.

Leaves Won’t Turn Purple

You may have a type of loropetalum that normally has green foliage for at least part of the year. But if you have the type that should have persistent purple leaves, it may be that your plant is either in too much shade, too much sun, or once again, the soil is too alkaline. If you think the plant is growing in the right lighting and soil conditions, try fertilizing it and see if the leaves turn purple over time.

III. Types of Loropetalum

The typical loropetalum has green foliage and white or off-white flowers. Other varieties have bright red or pink flowers and purple foliage that make this bush popular in landscaping. Here are a few favorite varieties with colorful blooms:

• ‘Pizazz’ grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, and features lovely plum-colored flowers with dark purple leaves.
• ‘Burgundy’ grows up to 10 feet and offers pink blooms with reddish-purple leaves that become greenish-purple in the summer, then bright red in autumn.
• ‘Ruby’ averages 4 feet in height and width with hot pink flowers and ruby-red foliage, plus it’s a true dwarf, ideal for a nicely compact, rounded shrub.
• ‘Ever Red’ grows about 5 feet high and wide with flowers that bloom a true red with burgundy leaves.
• ‘Razzleberri’ reaches an average of 4 to 6 feet tall and wide with raspberry-red flowers and leaves that bear a hint of burgundy.
• ‘Shang-Red’, also known by brand names Red Diamond or Purple Diamond (‘Shang-hi’) because they are nearly identical, grows up to 6 feet tall. Both have rich burgundy foliage with deep red or purple-pink flowers.

IV. How to Get Loropetalum to Bloom

There are several reasons why Loropetalum may not bloom. One reason Loropetalum is not blooming is that it is not receiving enough sunlight. If planted under trees, the overhead shade might prevent Loropetalum from flowering. Additionally, Loropetalum pruned at the wrong time can prevent it from flowering since it blooms on old wood. Wait until summer or early fall to prune to avoid removing the following year’s flowers. Loropetalum does not require deadheading, but removing spent blooms is one way to maintain healthy plants.

V. Uses and Benefits 

It is a popular ornamental plant, grown for its prolific clusters of flowers and (in the case of the pink flowering variety) deeply coloured foliage that may contain various green, copper, purple and red tones. The leaves, flowers and roots of L. chinense (Chinese: 檵木; pinyin: jìmù) are all used in traditional Chinese medicine.