Loropetalum Loropetalum chinense
Introduction
This native of
China, Japan and the Himalayas makes a lovely
addition to any landscape. Although it is
capable of growing to about 10-feet-tall,
most specimens are seen at about 5 to 6 feet
with a rounded canopy. Green, pubescent leaves
emerge as the delicate white flowers fill
the evergreen canopy for about two weeks
in the spring. Loropetalum chinensis rubrum ‘Monraz’ (Razzleberri)
comes to the United States from Japan and
has raspberry-red flowers. Growers report
it flowers several times each year. It will
make for a welcomed addition to the collection
of small, red-flowered shrubs.
General Information
Scientific name: Loropetalum chinensis
Pronunciation: lor-roe-PET-tuh-lum chy-NEN-see
Common name(s): Chinese Fringe-Bush
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Plant type: shrub
USDA hardiness zones: 7 through 10A
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: screen; hedge; border; specimen; espalier;
small parking lot islands (< 100 square feet
in size); medium-sized parking lot islands (100-200
square feet in size); large parking lot islands
(> 200 square feet in size)
Availability: grown in small quantities by a
small number of nurseries
Description
Height: 6 to 15 feet
Spread: 8 to 10 feet
Plant habit: upright; vase shape; spreading
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: moderate Fruit cover: dry or hard
Texture: medium Fruit color: brown Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy;
Leaf margin: serrate
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: red
Flower characteristic: pleasant fragrance; spring
flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
trunked or clumping stems; can be trained to
grow with a short, single trunk
Current year stem/twig color: brown
Current year stem/twig thickness: thin Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part
sun
Soil tolerances: slightly alkaline; clay; sand;
acidic; loam
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental
features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally
seen on the plant Use and Management
Fringebush prefers an acid soil pH and a mostly
sunny position in the landscape; whereas, azaleas
prefer some shade. Use it as you would an azalea
but it a sunnier location. Its small size makes
it well suited for planting in the front of a
shrub border as an accent. Mass several together
to make a dramatic statement and a nice, delicate
flower show.
Pests and Diseases
Mites can yellow the foliage. Soil nematodes
and root rot causes plant decline. Micro
nutrient deficiencies appear in alkaline
soil.
by Edward F. Gilman
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