Posted 9:37 pm Thursday, February 28, 2013
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Knockout shrub colorful addition
By Dee Bishop
Smith County Master Gardener
Smith County Master Gardener
Loropetalum chinense, better known as Chinese Fringe, is a knockout shrub that blooms in late winter through spring. Sometimes it will even bloom to a lesser degree in fall.
The first hot-pink ones came out 15 or more years ago. We bought some for the IDEA Garden. We were told they would grow 8 to 10 feet tall and that wide. Ours got at least 15 feet wide and tall. We took out all but one and tried it as a small tree (which is really pretty when pruned that way from the beginning). Our “tree” was so ugly, we cut it to within a few inches of the ground. You will now see it just behind the Rainbow Border in back of the north gate. It is now about 4 to 5 feet tall and we are going to have to prune it merciless to keep it that size.
The first hot-pink ones came out 15 or more years ago. We bought some for the IDEA Garden. We were told they would grow 8 to 10 feet tall and that wide. Ours got at least 15 feet wide and tall. We took out all but one and tried it as a small tree (which is really pretty when pruned that way from the beginning). Our “tree” was so ugly, we cut it to within a few inches of the ground. You will now see it just behind the Rainbow Border in back of the north gate. It is now about 4 to 5 feet tall and we are going to have to prune it merciless to keep it that size.
If you look about the garden you will see others that we are trying. They are “supposed” to stay less than 4 feet tall. We also have some that are supposed to stay less than 2 feet tall and spread to 5 feet wide, good for use as a ground cover. New ones are coming out that should do well in nearly any spot.
Loropetalums come with beautiful burgundy foliage, purple foliage and green foliage. The oldest is green with white flowers. I am not mentioning any particular name because names change so quickly. Go to a nursery or garden center and look for Loropetalums, or Chinese Fringe. Be sure to check out the size and spread so you can get one perfect for your space. These guys need sun. They will take a bit of shade, especially in summer. Once settled in their new home, they will grow very fast.
Loropetalums come with beautiful burgundy foliage, purple foliage and green foliage. The oldest is green with white flowers. I am not mentioning any particular name because names change so quickly. Go to a nursery or garden center and look for Loropetalums, or Chinese Fringe. Be sure to check out the size and spread so you can get one perfect for your space. These guys need sun. They will take a bit of shade, especially in summer. Once settled in their new home, they will grow very fast.
