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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Hamamelidaceae (Witch-Hazels) |
| Origin: China (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 4-8 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 10-15° F |
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Loropetalum chinense (Fringe Flower) - This compact, evergreen shrub that grows to 4 to 8 feet tall and as wide, possibly larger with age. It is clothed in 2 inch long, olive-green elliptic leaves along arching branches. The frilly spring-blooming white flowers form on clusters at branch ends and resemble those of the Witch-hazel, to which this Chinese shrub is closely related. It does best in cool sun or part shade with regular to occasional to infrequent watering in a fairly well drained soil It can suffer in heavier soils where it is more prone to root rots and can be a little sparse and suffer foliage discoloration in soils that are alkaline (> 7.0 pH). It grows very well with very little summer water in our mediterranean climate but remains much more lush if at least irrigated occasionally. Cold hardy to about 15 degrees F and can go semi-deciduous in cold weather. A reliable shrub in most conditions that works well for use in large containers, low hedge rows or as an accent plant. Throughout the year in cooler climates the leaves may change colors to yellow or red with the seasons but in mild climates they remain green. It can be pruned lightly or hard to shape and responds well to light addition of fertilizer in late spring or early summer. This plant is technically called Loropetalum chinense var. chinense and inhabits forests and open spaces on hillsides between 3,200 and 4,000 feet in elevation throughout much of China east to Himalayas of northeastern India and in Japan. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'loron' meaning "a strap" and 'petalon,' meaning "a petal" in reference to the narrow flower petals. The specific epithet refers to its origins in China. Another common name is Chinese Witch Hazel. This variety was first introduced into the U.S. in 1880, but was little known until the dark purple-leafed and pink-flowering forms of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum we introduced in the late 1980s. It was given an Award of Merit by the California Horticultural Society in 1981. We have grown this plant since 1991 and also grow several forms of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, including 'Blush', 'Hines Purple Leaf' and 'Purple Majesty'.
This information about Loropetalum chinense displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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