Chinese fringe flower: varieties, location & care
Loropetalum chinense is an unusual and vibrant early flowering plant and a real jewel in the garden. The ornamental shrub displays its full splendour before most other plants have even started to bud.
The Chinese fringe flower plant (Loropetalum chinense), also known as the strap flower, is the perfect plant to add a burst of colour to your garden in the cold season. Here is everything you need to know about the most beautiful varieties of this evergreen shrub with tips on where and how to grow them.
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Chinese fringe flower: origin, flower and properties
As its name suggests, the Chinese fringe flower stems from China, as well as Japan and north-eastern India. In its natural habitat, it can reach a height of up to three metres. In our climate, however, the evergreen shrub grows about 1.5 metres high and about as wide. It is a branching deciduous shrub characterised by a bushy, dense growth. The leaves of the Chinese fringe flower are ovate, with a smooth edge, slightly pointed at the end and form alternately on the shoots. The leaves, petioles and young shoots are also slightly hairy. Depending on the variety, the leaves are intensely purple or rich green and stay on the shrub all year round. The red-leaved varieties look especially vibrant in autumn and early winter.
The flowers of the Loropetalum chinense are pink or white, forming in clusters of three to six in the leaf axils on one year old and perennial wood. They appear in spring – depending on the variety, the flowering time is between the end of February and mid-May. The shape of the flowers look similar to those of witch hazel (Hamamelis), which makes sense as both plants belong to the witch hazel family (Hamamelidaceae). Despite its striking flowers, the Chinese fringe flower does not offer much to bees and other beneficial insects.
Tip: The shrub is only winter hardy to a certain extent and must be protected during prolonged sub-zero temperatures, which is why it is best grown in tubs in locations with harsh winters.
The most beautiful Chinese fringe flower varieties
Here are some of the most popular varieties of Chinese fringe flower that bring the most colour to the garden:
- Loropetalum chinense ˈEmerald Snowˈ: This variety has emerald green foliage with snow-white flowers and grows about 60 to 90 cm tall. The main flowering time of ˈEmerald Snowˈ is in spring.
- Loropetalum chinense ˈBlack Pearlˈ: The leaves of the ˈBlack Pearlˈ variety are deep dark red to black-red, and the pink flowers also appear in March and April. This strap flower can reach a height of 150 cm.
- Loropetalum chinense ˈEver Redˈ: A slightly smaller variety with a height of 70 to 80 cm and width of about 100 cm. It is adorned with reddish flowers from March to April.
- Loropetalum chinense ˈRuby Snowˈ: The contrasting colours of the flowers and leaves make this variety particularly eye-catching. Its flowers are snow-white and the foliage dark purple. The plant grows about 80 to 100 cm tall and 100 to 150 cm wide. Its flowering period is from February to April.
- Loropetalum chinense ˈMing Dynastyˈ: The bronze-coloured shoots of this variety later turn to green foliage. The pink, fragrant flowers appear from March to May. The shrub can also reach a height of 180 to 200 cm.
Location, soil and further planting information
The Chinese fringe flower should only be planted outdoors in regions with mild winter temperatures, as it is unable to survive long periods of sub-zero temperatures. However, the shrub is great for growing in pots, which makes it easy to move to a frost-free location in winter. If you experience harsh winters in your region, this is a better option than outdoor planting. The evergreen plant likes a sunny to partially shaded position that is relatively sheltered.
Note: Although the Chinese fringe flower is an evergreen shrub, it can also shed its foliage in winter in particularly chilly locations.
The Chinese fringe flower needs a well-drained, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil with a pH value that is ideally slightly acidic. To adjust the pH value of your soil, you can mix in some ericaceous compost or acidic soil when planting.
When planting in a container, it is important to ensure that there is a drainage system for the excess water. Otherwise, do not plant the shrub any deeper than the top of the permeable, nutrient-rich soil. Here, you should preferably use an acidic substrate. If mild temperatures and a sheltered location allow planting outdoors, a planting distance of about 100 cm should be maintained.
Different ways to grow:
- In containers
- As a solitary plant in a border; only in mild regions and with winter protection
- As a hedge plant; only in mild regions and with winter protection
- Can be formed into standard stem trees
- Can be cultivated as a bonsai
Loropetalum chinense care
The Chinese fringe flower is fairly easy to care for. The plant has low to moderate water requirements: make sure the soil is kept moist, although the shrub can also tolerate dry periods. As far as fertilising is concerned, apply a flowering shrub fertiliser at least once in spring. It is best to use a slow-release fertiliser that releases its nutrients gradually. Our Plantura Hydrangea Food, for example, is ideal for plants that prefer an acidic soil and has a long-acting effect of at least three months. In addition to these care steps, for potted plants, we recommend repotting your plant into fresh soil in spring roughly every two years. Pruning is almost never necessary due to the plant’s strongly branched, bushy growth. However, if, for example, you wish to form your plant into a spherical shape, the best time to prune is in early spring.
- For beautiful hydrangeas with lush blooms in pots & flower beds
- Prevents common deficiency symptoms & supports healthy plant growth
- Long-lasting fertiliser that is free from animal products - child & pet friendly
Tip: Chinese fringe flower as a flowering bonsai
The Chinese fringe flower can even be cultivated as a bonsai in small bowls. To achieve the typical growth habit of a bonsai tree, the branches, shoots and roots must be cut back regularly. Do this roughly every six to eight weeks in the growing season from May to September. A method known as wiring, in which the branches are wrapped in a spiral with an aluminium wire, is another way of shaping the plant. Repot your bonsai, pruning the roots at the same time, roughly every two years in spring. It is important to mix in a more permeable growing medium when growing a Chinese fringe flower bonsai. For example, use a mixture of ericaceous compost with 40% granite chippings, – this helps avoid waterlogging can easily occur in the compact bonsai containers.
Is the Chinese fringe flower winter hardy?
Loropetalum chinense can only survive a limited exposure to sub-zero temperatures and is sensitive to frost. Therefore, it is best to overwinter it in a frost-free location. However, the Chinese fringe flower can withstand it if the temperature only drops to -3 °C for a short time. During overwintering, keep the plant at temperatures of 8 to 12 °C. Continue watering during this time, but reduce the amount of water greatly.
Is the Chinese fringe flower poisonous?
There has not been much research done into the toxicity of Loropetalum chinense. However, since it belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family, eating it can cause – mostly harmless – palpitations. In principle, we advise against consuming ornamental plants if they are not labelled as safe for use or medicinal plants. Therefore, measures should be taken to prevent children and pets from eating plant parts.
If you are now inspired to add even more colour to your garden, we have lots of suggestions for you! Discover our favourites in our article on trees and shrubs with intense autumn colour.
