Fringeflower benefits
Just when I’d begun to stomp around, impatient for a little spring color in my shady garden (no daffodils, no quince, no plums, darn it!), Chinese fringeflower (Loropetalum chinense) burst into fuchsia bloom and saved the day. Hallelujah!
Throughout my garden (even out front; deer don’t eat it) I have three of these burgundy-leaved shrubs: ‘Plum’, ‘Rubrum’, and ‘Sizzling Pink’. This one, ‘Sizzling Pink’, which grows against the cedar-post fence in the back garden, is the prettiest, whether because it is happiest or because of the cultivar’s innate superiority, I don’t know.
Its dusty mauve and gray-green leaves tend to fade into the background in summer, blending too easily into the brown of the cedar poles. But even so, its unusual coloring is a nice foil to our region’s more typical blue-green and blue-gray foliage, like paleleaf yucca in the purple pot and Yucca rostrata in the background.
And when those shocking-pink, tassel-like blossoms appear among the purple-tinged foliage, it’s like shazam!
Silver and purple containers complement the leaf coloring.
Chinese fringeflower also pairs nicely with mint green, like ‘Creme de Mint’ dwarf pittosporum (bottom) — if you can find it. I can only find ‘Mojo’ these days, which I don’t like as much.
Maybe three fringeflowers isn’t enough, and I need to add another to my garden this spring.
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It’s gorgeous! I’ve tried growing different varieties here 3 times but those plants all failed to thrive. A water issue perhaps, or maybe my soil is just too alkaline.
Our soil is pretty alkaline too, Kris — in fact, this one is growing alongside big slabs of limestone — so I suspect it’s probably a water issue for you. Our average rainfall in Austin is 33 inches, compared to L.A.’s 15 inches or less in drought. —Pam
Sadly, the mow-blow dudes around these parts torture the Loropetalums into submission which either eliminates or reduces the bloom. Little cubes, bon bons etc. So so wrong.
I appreciate thoughtful topiary and hedging, and loropetalum takes to it nicely, but I agree that wholesale, tortured shearing is a shame. It’s a beautiful shrub when left to its own devices. —Pam
Who can resist this gorgeous display?
Thank goodness for easy-care, early-flowering shrubs like this one. —Pam
are your culvert planters filled with soil or do you drop a pot into it or fill partually with something else?
You can do either, depending on how much root space your plant needs, and I have done it both ways with various pots in my garden. I can’t remember what I did with this one. —Pam
These are a lovely mid “winter” burst of color indeed! Looks like they had no freeze damage either! Is the Rubrum cultivar the one with maroon leaves? If so, do they stay that color year round? Love these photos!
All three cultivars in my garden have maroon leaves, so yes — and there are lots more in the trade as well. Their colors intensify at certain times of the year, but bright sun can wash them out here in Texas. They are beautiful, and keep in mind they can get quite large. —Pam
My Mom has this beautiful plant in her front yard but she forgot the name of it so I was so happy to see it here with a name! So beautiful! I will have to plant Loropetalum in my yard since the deer are frequent guests. It’s difficult to find blooming plants that they don’t eat.
I always enjoy your blogs and your photos are exquisite!
Thanks, Deborah, and happy planting! —Pam