Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower): Varieties, Hardiness, and Cultivar Confusion

Loropetalum, Loropetalum chinense, Chinese fringe flower, versatile shrub in witch hazel family.

Usually round shrub. Varieties range 3–10 feet tall with arching branches bearing soft 1–2 inch leaves. Older common form: green leaves, white flowers with 4 narrow petals clustered at branch tips. New pink-flowered forms: deep maroon leaves.

Flowering heaviest in spring; sporadic flowers likely anytime.

Grow in mild coastal climates in light shade to full sun; easily tolerates colder winters and heat in other Georgia parts. Plant in neutral to slightly acidic soil, irrigate occasionally—prefer moist but not wet.

Red-leaf/pink flower form made loropetalum a horticultural star in a decade.

HARDINESS

Test garden recorded 4°F without damage to Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum cultivars.

DESCRIPTIONS (San Marcos Growers)

Loropetalum chinense: species with white flowers. Dense rounded shrub, arching branches, soft 1–2 inch light green leaves, typically 3–5 feet tall, older specimens to 15 feet. Great for woodland garden.

Purple Leaf Varieties

'Blush': early red-flowered form, 6 ft tall, 4–5 ft wide. Foliage emerges rose-red, turns medium green. Coastal climate = multi-colored effect. Rose-pink flowers lighter, larger than 'Hines Purpleleaf'. May be same as 'Monraz' (Monrovia).

'Burgundy': new foliage reddish-purple, matures purple-green. Fall foliage brilliant red. Pink flowers intermittently. 6–10 ft tall/wide. May be same as 'Sizzling Pink'.

'Hines Purpleleaf' – Plum Delight™: retains dark foliage year-round. Rounded evergreen, gracefully arching branches like 'Bridal Wreath' Spirea. 6–8 ft tall/wide. Leaves emerge rosy red, age to dark bronze. Flowers smaller, darker than 'Blush'.

'Purple Majesty': rounded evergreen, graceful arching branches 6–8 ft. Bright fuchsia fringe flowers masses in spring, then throughout year. New growth dark burgundy, matures brilliant purple. Use mass plantings, hedge, specimen, patio tree. Hardy to 15–20°F. Similar to 'Hines Purpleleaf'.

'Raspberry Fringe': compact evergreen, bronze-red new growth ages olive-green. Pink flowers year-round, peak April. 4–6 ft high/wide. May be another name for 'Blush'.

'Ruby': compact rounded evergreen, shiny ruby red young leaves. Pink fringe flowers year-round. 3–5 ft. Sun or dappled shade. 15–20°F. Leaves more rounded/undulating. Smallest shrub.

'Fire Dance': upright arching habit, rich ruby red new growth changes to lustrous reddish-purple. Maturity: green with hint of reddish pigment. Good foliage color, dark pink flowers. Fast grower 3–6 ft. Excellent container plants. Hardy 15–20°F. Sun or shade. Piroche Plants (Canada) introduction.

'Pipa's Red': upright, fountain-shaped to 5 ft. Very dark purple foliage, bright pink flowers.

'Zhuzhou Fuchsia': very dark, persistent blackish maroon leaves. Upright, among largest cultivars to 10 ft. Deep pink flowers. Trainable as standard or espalier.

THE NAME

Loropetalum from Greek loron (strap) and petalon (leaf/petal) referencing narrow flower petals. Cultivar names cause confusion with trademark names (TM). Trademarks discourage others from growing plant; often just consumer confusion. Legitimate names inside single quotes. Valid Plant Patent requires patent number on tag at resale.