Loropetalum is a type of evergreen shrub or small tree that is known for its thin long clusters of petals that hang downwards. The most famous and commonly grown kind of loropetalum is loropetalum chinense, also known as Chinese fringe flower.
Depending on the variety of loropetalum, its petals can grow in different tones of creamy white, usually with green leaves or with vivid pink-fuchsia flowers and purplish leaves, known as the popular rubrum variety.
Loropetalum originates in Asia, particularly in China and Japan, and is part of the Hamamelidaceae family, commonly known as the witch-hazel family.
While the typical white-colored Chinese fringe flower was introduced to the United States at the end of the 19th century, the plant’s popularity began to explode after the pink-flowered variety (loropetalum chinense var. rubrum) was introduced in 1989 and is now a commonly grown plant, both in gardens and parks. In virtue of its popularity, there are now numerous different varieties that are cultivated in the US.
The name Loropetalum derives from the Greek words loron, which means strap and petalon, which means petal. Its etymology refers to the plant’s long strap or fringe-shaped flowers, typical of all the species of the loropetalum genus.
The loropetalum genus of the plant and is made of four species, which have varying physical characteristics:
Loropetalum is a plant that can come in different forms and colors, depending on its variety and cultivar. It can grow as an evergreen tree or an evergreen shrub and the plant’s characteristics can vary greatly in terms of height, width, length of petioles, and leaf size and color. While it is generally evergreen, it can become deciduous in colder climates, meaning that it will shed some leaves during colder periods.
Loropetalum’s flowers are the common thread between its different varieties and cultivars, including the most common Loropetalum Chinense.
Its flowers always grow in the shape of straps, or fringes, as indicated by its alternative name, Chinese fringe flower. They usually grow in profuse clusters of 4 to 12 petals alongside and at the end of branches. These narrow tassel-shaped petals are usually 1 to 2 inches long and often droop downwards.
The traditional Loropetalum Chinense presents beautiful creamy white to yellowish flowers, while the rubrum variety, which has gained enormous popularity in the United States, presents intense pinkish-purple flowers. Because of the intense color of its flowers and the sheer concentration of flower clusters when in bloom, it’s no wonder that loropetalums are so appreciated.
Loropetalum leaves are relatively small and oval shaped, reaching a maximum length of about 2.5 inches and a maximum width of no more than 1.5 inches. They grow alternately on its somewhat arciform branches. Their surface is slightly rough, while their edges are smooth.
In the classic white-flowered fringe flower, the leaves are usually a dark green color, creating a beautiful background that exalts its white flowers. Throughout the year, the occasional leaf will turn yellow or red giving the plant a striking extra touch of color.
The rubrum variety, instead, can have dark purplish leaves or bronze-colored leaves that enhance the brightness of its rosy pink flowers.
Loropetalums have a rather dense habit, which, when left to grow without pruning, tend to form a rounded shape. The result is a stunning and naturally elegant shrub with a high flower density. In fact, given its neat and compact habit, with heavy pruning there is a risk of ruining the shrub’s natural elegance.
The white-flowered variety of Loropetalum Chinense can reach a height of 15 feet, but in older plants it can even reach greater heights. Certain cultivars have also been bred to yield a smaller plant as well, both in height and spread.
The pink-flowered rubrum is a vaster category, that contains numerous plants that can grow to different heights and can be chosen based on the necessary landscaping necessities. Two examples are the first two rubrum varieties that were introduced to the United States: The Burgundy variety, which can reach around 14 feet and the Blush variety, which has a more vertically contained height that can reach 6 feet.
As with its height, loropetalum spread varies depending on the specific variety. Generally speaking, loropetalum shrubs tend to spread as wide as they do tall, due to the outward sprout of its branches and blossoms.
For example, the classic white-flowered loropetalum can usually reach a width of nearly 10 feet, while the popular Blush rubrum variety can reach a width of around 5 feet.
Loropetalum’s growth rate is usually moderate, but this can vary depending on the specific variety and cultivar.
Generally speaking, taller, tree-like varieties tend to grow slightly faster, as is the case with the white Loropetalum Chinense.
Amongst the rubrum variety, given the vast amount of selective breeding, growth rate can vary a great deal. For example, the Fire Dance variety grows very quickly compared to the slow-growing Black Pearl. So, when deciding which Chinese fringe flower to choose, it’s important to take into account the cultivar’s growth rate in relation to landscaping preferences.
In addition, because this versatile plant can grow in full sunlight and in partial shade, it will grow faster if under direct sunlight. Its rate of growth can also be limited if the plant is potted, if all other conditions are equal.
Loropetalum is an excellent choice for a number of different landscapes due to its versatility and the diversity of its varieties, which can be selected for a number of landscapes.
It is often used as an ornamental plant because of the beauty of its flowers and its leaves, but it also has several functional uses, especially in its shrub form.
When planted close together, loropetalum plants are often used to create visually enticing hedges because of density of its branches and blooms and its ability to maintain its density, both vertically and horizontally. You can often see loropetalum hedgerows on the edge of gardens and parks, to enclose areas, and with taller varieties it can be used as a screen to maintain privacy, for example from neighboring properties. When used as a hedge, its natural form is already very elegant, so it requires a moderate amount of pruning to maintain its shape. Loropetalums are an excellent alternative to pittosporums.
Loropetalum can also be planted close to foundations because its roots are not invasive. It will therefore not cause problems to the house’s foundational structure or plumbing system. However, certain varieties and cultivars can grow to great heights, possibly obstructing windows. Consequently, it’s important to choose a cultivar with a low mature height.
Smaller versions of loropetalum can also be used as beautiful groundcover, and once again, there are many types that are selectively bred for this purpose. If used in groundcover it is slightly higher maintenance, as it is necessary to prune vertically growing stems.
Another effective use of the plant is in the foreground of flowerbeds, provided that smaller versions are chosen and correctly pruned.
For a stunning touch of color, the plant is also perfect for use in woodland gardens because it can also thrive in partial sunlight. However, it must not be placed in full shade.
Loropetalum can also be grown in pots, containers and raised beds, as well as in hanging baskets, due to its drooping quality, for a purely ornamental use.
By guiding the growth of its stems, it can also be used as a colorful espalier, for example along the walls of a house.
While usually grown outdoors, loropetalum can also grow indoors, provided it is placed in an area where it can receive enough sunlight throughout the day. A good idea for growing the plant indoors is to grow a bonsai loropetalum, which can be pruned into a very attractive small tree.
Loropetalums are generally easy plants to grow and require a low level of maintenance. They often flower abundantly, independently of the specific variety. Blooming occurs in late winter to spring and most heavily between March and April; however, the plant can also bloom in other periods of the year, sometimes in the summer through autumn.
The Chinese fringe flower thrives both in full sun, which means more than 6 hours a day of direct sunlight and in partial shade, which means from 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. The amount of sun needed can vary depending on the variety. For example, rubrum plants can fully express the bronze pigmentation of its leaves if it is exposed to sufficient sunlight.
It is a cold hardy plant in USDA zones 7 to 10, meaning it is resistant to lower temperatures, down to about 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the plant grows best in mild climates but is also heat tolerant, as it can resist 4 to 5 months of temperatures of about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re planting loropetalums in colder climates, it’s important to plant them somewhere that will be protected from wind. In addition, adding root mulch in the winter will preserve the plant from damage by maintaining a steady temperature, avoiding premature growth and conserving water in the soil. Loropetalum will also benefit from mulching during the growing season, as it suppresses weeds, while maintaining moisture and nutrients in the soil.
Loropetalums are also resistant in warmer climates, especially those that experience droughts, where it can resist at least a couple of weeks without water.
Loropetalums can grow in different types of soil without too much trouble. However, they thrive in fertile soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH of about 4.5 to a maximum of 7. It also prefers moist and well-drained soil that is loose and has a high degree of organic matter. Preferred soils for loropetalums are loam and sandy-loam soils, rather than clay, because of their excellent water-drainage. In case the soil has a higher (more alkaline) pH, you can lower it to a more acidic range by using aluminum sulfate, granular sulfur or cottonseed meal. If the soil is excessively acidic (a much lower pH), you can use limestone in pellets.
Loropetalums need a moderate amount of water. They should be watered 2 to 3 times a week, although in case its planted in a warmer climate, some additional watering may be necessary. It is important to avoid overwatering the plant, as it can be prone to root rot.
In addition to this, the water used should not be excessively calcareous. If this is the case, it is best to use distilled water or rainwater.
The plant must be bedded out either in spring or autumn in order to avoid exposure to sudden changes in temperature and its relative effects on the soil that will damage the plant.
When planting loropetalums close together, you should decide how much to space them apart based on the specific cultivar’s mature height and spread. This will guarantee that they will not stunt each other’s growth and will limit the need for excessive pruning.
The best time to fertilize loropetalums is after blooming, around late spring or early summer. It’s best to use a slow-release fertilizer with the right quantity of macronutrients. A good fertilizer to use is an NPK (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10, which will prevent damage to the plant and assure proper growth.
In case the soil isn’t acidic enough, it’s a good idea to use an acidifying fertilizer.
When applying the fertilizer, you should sprinkle it in a wider area than the base of the plant, in order to reach the roots that are also growing outwards. Once sprinkled on top of the soil, you should slightly till it so that the fertilizer will reach the roots.
If you are growing loropetalums in pots, it’s a good idea to place some gravel, expanded clay or another draining material under the soil: this will help maintain water drainage and avoid root rot.
Loropetalums don’t need heavy pruning because of their naturally elegant shape but given their height and spread, some light pruning to contain it is well-tolerated. They can also tolerate heavy pruning, for example, if used to make topiaries.
In order to obtain a tree form of loropetalum, early pruning of the lower branches of the plant is necessary, so it will form a single trunk.
They will obviously need to be pruned for broken, dead and diseased branches. It’s also important to trim excess concentrations of branches and leaves, in order to let the light shine through to hidden and internal sprouts. This is especially true regarding shrub forms. In the case of loropetalum trees, it’s important to prune any basal shoots that may develop.
The best time to prune loropetalums is at the end of its flowering period, in late spring or early summer.
Loropetalums don’t generally have issues with particular parasites or diseases and is also known to be deer-resistant.
The biggest problem you can encounter when growing loropetalums is root rot. Root rot can be prevented by assuring the soil is well-drained and by avoiding excess watering.
Lack of proper nutrients can cause a number of problems for Loropetalums. If your plant grows underdeveloped or abnormal leaves, loss of leaves, yellowing leaves or experiences slowed growth, it may be due to a lack of nitrogen in the soil. Sometimes low phosphorus levels can cause undergrowth of flowers and roots. Low potassium will limit water efficiency and photosynthesis. If this is the case, be careful not to overwater the plant, as it will cause root rot. The best solution for these cases is to use the aforementioned NPK fertilizer.
If the soil isn’t acidic enough, this will also cause malformation and undergrowth, including yellowing (chlorotic) leaves. If you test for soil acidity and realize it is too alkaline, one of the aforementioned acidifying agents is your best solution.
Rarely, loropetalums can develop galls, or abnormal growths similar to tumors in animals that can be caused by parasites, bacteria, viruses or fungi. Specifically, there are documented cases of gall disease caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi. If your plant does develop galls, be sure to prune the branches below them and to dispose of them. If left untreated, this disease can cause branches or even the entire plant to die. Be sure to disinfect your pruners after each cut so to avoid infecting other parts of the plant.
Since their introduction to the United States, a large number of loropetalum cultivars have been bred, all of the loropetalum chinense species. While there are different cultivars of the white-flowered loropetalum, the hugely popular rubrum variety has been most widely cultivated and presents the largest number of options. Of the L. Chinense rubrum variety, there are several different plants with different heights and spreads, different tones of leaf and flower color and that are suited for every different landscaping use, including different sunlight requirements.
Be aware that in old age some cultivars will exceed their indicated height and spread, and that early-age pruning of lower branches will help develop a tree-form.
Below you fill find an exhaustive list of the different cultivars with their full specifications.
You will find trademarked names, which simply mean that they are marketed under that name, when applicable you will find the patented cultivar name in brackets. Patented plants represent a variation from existing cultivars, insofar as it is a new subtype. Many plants are often more famous for their trademarked names rather than their patented names.
Carolina Moonlight™ (NC1002)
One of the most popular white-petaled loropetalums due to its creamy white flowers and olive to dark green leaves that provide a beautiful contrast with its intense colors.
Its leaves are rather small, which, in addition to its prolific blooming creates the impression of an explosion of flowers.
It is a compact and densely populated evergreen shrub that can reach 5 to 6 feet in height, but usually reaches 4 to 5 feet. It usually spreads more than its height. Its habit tends to grow upright and slightly drooping.
Because of these qualities, Carolina Moonlight is a great choice for hedges, but is also beautiful as a single specimen or in a full flower bed.
It blooms towards the end of winter and the beginning of spring, with occasional additional blooming throughout spring.
Emerald Snow® (Shang-White)
This loropetalum has white, narrow spider-like petals with a bright lime-green foliage that turns into a darker tone of green during summertime.
It is a compact evergreen shrub that grows and spreads to around 4 feet and is one of the faster growing cultivars.
It can be used for hedges, as an accent, in mass plantings and because of its size it’s apt for small gardens. It can also be grown indoors.
It blossoms in spring and occasionally can blossom during fall and generally prefers partial shade.
Jazz Hands® Dwarf White (Hakuou)
This plant is one of the smaller loropetalum cultivars that tends to spread more than it grows tall, reaching a height of 1 to 3 feet and a spread of 3 feet.
Its petals are thin and spider-like that grow on relatively large flowers. Its clusters of bright white flowers are bountiful and grow in a dense and naturally elegant rounded habit with a dark green ovate foliage.
Given its small size, the plant is particularly indicated for containers and smaller gardens in addition to landcover.
It blooms in spring, but is a heavy re-bloomer, especially during the summer.
Jazz Hands® Night Moves (Suzuki)
This loropetalum is one of the newer and more particular white-flowered versions: it is characterized by frilly white flowers with a flush of pink and a dark burgundy foliage that contains touches of pink, green and specks of white.
It grows to 2 to 4 feet both in terms of spread and height, and it has a dense and cascading habit.
This plant looks great as a single specimen, in a mixed bed or in a container garden and is without doubt one of the more particular loropetalums available.
It blooms in late spring and early summer but is also a re-bloomer.
Snow Dance™
This specimen is a slow growing shrub with a compact and somewhat rounded habit. It has olive green leaves that are maintained throughout the year with bright white flowers. It grows to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
It can be trained as a tree, but it also has a natural elegance as a shrub. It is good for mass planting or for hedges.
It blooms in early spring but occasionally re-blooms during the year.
Snow Muffin® (Snowmound)
This plant is distinctive especially because of its shape: its habit is very dense from a young age, but its shape changes from a procumbent to a round-shaped mound, with descending branches as it ages. Its leaves turn to a dark green color as the plant ages, with shorter and narrower leaves than other loropetalums. It is a rather small plant that grows from 1 to 3 feet tall and spreads up to 3 feet.
It is particularly beautiful as an accent plant and looks great in pots and containers.
The plant blooms from late winter to spring with copious amounts of white flowers.
Blush
Blush was one of the two original pink-flowered cultivars to be introduced to the United States. It is known for its frilly pink flowers, which grow in profuse clusters of 5 to 10 petals each. Its foliage is initially a red-bronze color that, as it matures, turns to a darker olive-green color. It is also one of the most fragrant loropetalums available. This evergreen shrub has a dense habit that grows predominantly upright. It usually grows 6 to 8 feet tall, but in the right conditions and if it is not pruned, it can grow an extra couple of feet. Its spread usually reaches around 6 feet but may grow wider.
Because of the plant’s size, it fits best in a more natural and spacious setting. It can also be pruned to grow into an elegant tree-form.
The plant’s peak blooming is in April, however, its pink flowers bloom throughout the whole year.
Blush is also sold as Razzleberri® (Monraz), Daybreak’s Flame and Raspberry Fringe.
Burgundy
Burgundy was also one of the two original pink-flowered cultivars to be introduced to the US. This plant is less compact than Blush and grows both taller and wider. It can grow from 6 to 10 feet tall, but it is documented to have grown more than 14 feet tall. It can also grow very wide, with a spread of 6 to 12 feet.
Its flowers are bright pink, with clusters of 4 to 8 petals while its leaves are initially reddish-purple and turn to darker purple-green color. During fall its foliage may change color again, turning into a brilliant red.
Even more so with Burgundy compared to Blush, this plant works best in a spacious setting, with only light pruning to maintain its natural form.
The plant blooms in spring with occasional blooming throughout the rest of the year and it is a fast-growing cultivar.
Carolina Midnight
This form of var. rubrum is one of the larger cultivars available, usually reaching a height of 10 to 12 feet and a spread of 6 to 12 feet. It’s an evergreen shrub that tends to grow upright, making it an excellent choice as a hedge, where specimens should be planted about 6 to 8 feet apart for this landscape use. It is also a cultivar that can be pruned to form a small tree.
Its flowers are a dark fuchsia color with dark purple glossy foliage.
It blooms towards the beginning of spring.
Cerise Charm™ (Kurobijin)
This dwarf shrub has a very dark plum small-leaf foliage that maintains its color throughout the year. Its foliage contrasts beautifully with its spring bloom of intense burgundy red flowers. It has a compact habit and grows no more than 3 to 4 feet, both in height and spread. It makes a great accent or foundation plant.
Crimson Fire™ (PIILC-I)
One of the more particular cultivars, it stands out because of its brilliant deep pink flowers that contrasts nicely with its red-purple foliage. It is a dwarf variety that grows no more than 2 to 4 feet tall and spreads 4 to 5 feet. It has a compact, mounded spreading habit. Due to its size, it is an ideal plant for a small space that needs an extra touch of color, making it a good accent plant or foundation plant as well as beautiful in containers.
It blooms in spring.
Darkfire
Similar to Cerise Charm, Darkfire has even darker plum color foliage, with flowers that are a brilliant pink-reddish color that blooms in spring and fall. Its foliage maintains its color throughout the year. This shrub is mid-sized, tending to grow 5 to 6 feet tall and wide, with a somewhat compact habit. It’s a great plant as an individual specimen and can also be used for border edges and small hedges.
Daruma
This dwarf shrub has a compact habit with rich burgundy foliage and hot pink flowers. It usually grows from 2 to 4 feet tall and it spreads 3 to 5 feet. It is a more compact version of the famous Ruby loropetalum.
Because of its naturally orderly form, it’s great as a small hedge or as a foundation plant.
It blossoms in spring but re-blossoms occasionally, especially from early to mid-fall.
Ever Red® (Chang Nian Hong)
This mid-size cultivar has become quite popular due to its flowers, which are the reddest of the rubrum variety. These brilliant red flowers are stunningly contrasted to its dark burgundy foliage that maintains its color throughout the summer. It has a neat compact habit and it grows from 5 to 6 feet tall and wide. In the landscape it is perfect as an accent plant and can be used in perennial borders as well.
The plant blossoms in late winter and early spring with profuse clusters of red flowers.
Fire Dance
This specimen is somewhat uncommon compared to other loropetalums. This plant has an upright habit that tends to arch downwards. It tends to grow from 3 feet to a maximum of 6 feet with a spread of around 5 feet, with a fast growth rate. It yields bright to dark pink flowers, while its foliage is initially ruby red on new growths, it eventually turns red-purple and then green in maturity. They make excellent container plants, which is useful especially in colder climates, as it is less hardy than other cultivars.
This plant tends to blossom in spring and again between late summer and autumn.
Jazz Hands Bold™ (Kurenai Daiou)
This plant is a large specimen that has a dense and upright habit that can grow from 6 to 8 feet tall and tends to spread to 6 feet wide. It has large rounded foliage that emerges as pink and becomes burgundy with copious rich pink flowers. Both blooms and foliage are on average larger than most other rubrum cultivars. It is a great eye-catcher and is perfect for privacy hedges and backgrounds due to its height and density.
The plant blooms in spring but maintains its leaf color year-round.
Jazz Hands Variegated™ (Irodori)
Slightly smaller than Jazz Hands Bold, the plant has an upright and spreading habit, reaching 4 to 6 feet in height and a width of 4 feet. It has dark pink flowers, but its special quality is that it has variegated leaves, meaning they have specks of different colors. Leaves initially grow with white and pink variegation and mature to dark purple. It is beautiful as an individual specimen but can also make for attractive mid-size hedging.
Jazz Hands™ Dwarf Pink (Kurenai)
This dwarf evergreen shrub tends to spread wider than it does tall, reaching a height of 1 to 3 feet and a spread of around 3 feet, with a mounded habit. It has a pink-accented burgundy foliage with dark pink flowers.
It’s a great plant for container gardens and for residential landscapes and tends to bloom in late spring.
Jazz Hands Mini™
One of the smallest loropetalums available, it grows 10 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 18 to 24 inches. It has black purple foliage with extremely bright pink flowers. It is a plant that is specifically cultivated for groundcover use, but looks great in containers, to line a walkway border or as an accent plant, due to its colors.
It blooms in spring but its foliage maintains its color throughout the year.
Little Rose Dawn™ (GriffCRL)
This cultivar is a branch mutation of the Ruby loropetalum but tends to spread more while maintaining great compactness. It has a round habit and can reach a height of 8 to 10 feet and a spread of 12 feet. Its foliage initially grows a rich burgundy color that progressively turns to green. Its flowers are a hot pink color.
It makes a great accent plant but can be used for hedging and in containers.
However, be aware that it is a fast-growing and spreading plant when taking into consideration where to plant it. This cultivar blooms through March and April with an additional bloom in October.
Pizazz®
This popular specimen is said to be the same as Hines Burgundy and Hines Purpleleaf
It generally reaches a height and spread of 6 to 8 feet with a tight habit and arching branches. It produces bright pinkish purple flowers with early foliage that is burgundy and matures to a bronze purple color.
With pruning it can be used as a hedge.
It is fast-growing and blooms in March and April.
Plum Delight® (Hines Purpleleaf)
This specimen is considered to be equivalent to the previously described Pizazz. Its specifications are the same, with a compact habit and growth of 6 to 8 feet in height and spread. It also has bright pink-purple flowers with burgundy leaves that mature to a bronze purple color.
It can be used as a hedge with pruning.
It is a fast grower that blooms in March and April.
Purple Daydream™ (PPI)
One of the smaller available cultivars, growing from to 2 to 3 feet in height and 3 to 4 feet wide, it is a mounded and compact shrub. The plant presents a dark purple foliage that lasts the whole year with clusters of luminous dark pink petals.
It has a naturally elegant shape that makes it perfect as an accent, a small hedge, or as a foundation plant.
It blooms during the spring but occasionally reblooms.
Purple Diamond® (Shang-hi)
This specimen has a dense and somewhat spherical habit, while tending to grow upright. It grows to between 4 to 5 feet both in height and spread.
It’s particularly appreciated for its dark purple foliage that contrasts nicely with its abundant dark pink flowers.
It is beautiful as an accent and in mass planting with its naturally elegant form.
The plant blooms in spring with occasional re-blooming during the summer.
Pipa’s Red
This specimen derives from variations of Fire Dance. It has a mounding habit that grows upright with arching branches. It can grow up to around 5 feet tall and can grow a couple of feet wider.
It has narrow dark burgundy foliage with bright pink flowers, and it maintains its foliage color through maturity.
It’s an eye-catching plant that works well as an accent or it can be pruned as a small tree with cascading branches of profuse clusters of flowers.
It grows at a rather quick rate and blossoms from February to April.
Purple Majesty
This specimen grows upright with a slightly rounded form and descending branches. It grows to 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Its foliage initially grows a dark burgundy color and eventually turns into an intense deep purple. Its profuse clusters of flowers are a bright fuchsia-pink color that tend to be frilly.
Due to its shape, it is a great choice to prune as a tree or for hedges.
This plant blooms in spring but has a long blooming season.
It’s important to note that Purple Majesty is slightly less cold hardy than other specimens, resisting in low temperatures down to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Purple Pixie™ (Peack)
This form of loropetalum is a seedling of the Pizazz specimen. Its foliage is larger and maintains a dark purple complexion that is eye-catching because of its intensity. Its blooms are a dark pink color that is as intense as its foliage.
It is a small plant with a height of 1 to 2 feet that spreads 4 to 5 feet, making it an excellent choice for groundcover. The weight of its growth eventually tends to make the plant’s branches droop downwards. This weeping quality makes it great for use as a cascading ornamental plant, for example in hanging baskets or window boxes.
This plant blooms in spring.
Red Diamond™ (Shang-Red)
Red Diamond has a compact habit and tends to grow to 6 feet tall and wide. Its foliage is a dark burgundy color that is retained as it matures, while its main particularity is that its flowers are bright red.
It is a great plant for hedges and borders, but also works well as an accent.
It blooms in late winter to early spring but tends to re-bloom during the rest of the year.
Ruby
One of the most well-known loropetalums. It has a compact and rounded habit and grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide. It grows a reddish-purple foliage, which matures to green and its flowers are bright pink.
This plant is a great choice for foundation planting or small hedges.
It flowers during spring, but occasionally re-blooms during the summer.
Zhuzhou Fuchsia
This specimen is another early introduction to the US. It is one of the tallest growing variants, capable of reaching heights from 10 to 20 feet tall, with a spread of about 10 feet. Its habit is upright, and it makes an excellent choice for pruning as a tree form.
Its particularity is its black maroon and large leaves that persist in maturity and contrasts beautifully with its deep pink clusters of flowers.
It blooms around March and April and it is also the most cold hardy of the rubrum variety.
