For this horticulturalist, one of the most depressing landscape sights – related to the still too high rate of local crape murders, you know who you are – is seeing a would-be large growing shrub mercilessly clipped back year after year to keep it in scale with the rest of the landscape. The most frequent victim of this practice is Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense).
Loropetalum is an outstanding landscape shrub. The species was introduced to the US from eastern Asia (China and Japan) in the early 1900s but didn’t gain widespread popularity until the introduction of the original named purple-leaved varieties (like ‘Ruby’, ‘Blush’, and ‘Burgundy’) around 1990. These cultivars, especially the still widely planted ‘Ruby’, were heralded as near perfect landscape plants – ultra fast-growing evergreen shrubs to 12-15’ tall with pretty purple foliage, ribbony pink spring flowers, no major pests or disease issues, drought tolerant, and capable of growing in a wide range of light conditions.
Unfortunately, the most common use for the quick-growing, large statured Loropetalum in landscapes has been as a formally clipped foundation shrub, often stuck close together in rows under windows and in front of low-slung porches. This is perfectly fine for some of the newer, dwarfing cultivars like ‘Purple Daydream’, ‘EverRed’, and ‘Purple Pixie’, but for most varieties, it is far from ideal. Because the plants grow at such a rapid rate, pruning to keep Loropetalum in scale with such a site means breaking out the hedge shears 4-6 times a summer, a task most gardeners tire of over time. Though its ability to adapt to this regular severe pruning is admirable and speaks to its tough constitution, there are several better ways to employ Loropetalum in the landscape.
First, you could site it with plenty of space (at least 10’ on all sides) to grow loose, unimpeded, and unpruned as a specimen shrub, much like one would a large Camellia or Vitex. You could also take this same approach, just one step further, by allowing it to grow to a large specimen shrub but removing lower limbs and foliage as it grows. This reveals absolutely gorgeous bark and branching architecture, similar to Crape Myrtle, and turns a large shrub into a small tree. Finally, Loropetalum makes a great large privacy screening plant, a “living fence” if you will. For this scenario, plant slightly closer (maybe on 6’ centers) and trim to shape once or twice a year.
Regardless of which approach you take to growing Loropetalum, they will have their best, deepest foliage color and flower show in full to partial sun. Like all other landscape plants, they need regular irrigation during the establishment period (first year or two after planting) and benefit from periodic fertilization with a balanced fertilizer and mulching to preserve soil moisture and prevent weed competition.
When sited right, Loropetalum is one of the easiest to grow and most rewarding landscape plants around! Plant one today. For more information on growing loropetalum or any other horticultural topic, contact us at the UF/IFAS Extension Calhoun County office.
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