A fast-growing evergreen shrub that blooms boldly in spring, Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) delivers long-lasting interest to your landscape. Add it to a foundation planting or incorporate it in a perennial border for its evergreen foliage and shrubby texture.
Chinese Fringe Flower Overview
Where to Plant Chinese Fringe Flower
Plant Chinese fringe flower in organically rich, well-draining soil in full sun or part shade. The shrub is deciduous in zones 8-10, but in zone 7, it needs protection from cold winter winds, so protect its root zone with a thick layer of mulch in late fall. Remove the mulch in early spring.
Chinese fringe flower is useful throughout the landscape. Large varieties block views of neighboring landscapes or mask a wall or compost pile. Plant a row as an ever-changing, always-interesting hedge along a patio or outdoor room. A focal point on its own, thanks to showy, fragrant, spiderlike flowers and evergreen foliage, Chinese fringe flower can anchor a shrub planting or perennial border. Plant it alongside heavenly bamboo, lilyturf, pittosporum, juniper, or camellia for an easy-care shrub border.
How and When to Plant Chinese Fringe Flower
Nursery-grown shrubs can be planted any time of year, but they need additional water when planted during the hot summer months until they are established. In a garden bed of organically rich, well-draining soil, dig a hole the same height as the container but two to three times as wide. Remove the shrub from the container and loosen the roots using your hands. Place the shrub in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly below soil level. Backfill the hole, pressing down on the soil with your hands to remove any air bubbles. Water thoroughly.
Chinese Fringe Flower Care Tips
Light
Chinese fringe flower grows best in full sun or part shade. The best planting site receives full sun in the morning and light shade in the afternoon.
Soil and Water
Chinese fringe flower prefers moist, organically-rich, well-drained soil. In arid regions, spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch over the root zone to help conserve soil moisture. Although established shrubs are drought-tolerant, newly planted shrubs need about 2 inches of water a week. Water plants deeply during extended periods of drought.
Temperature and Humidity
Chinese fringe flower shrubs grow best in USDA zones 8-10 and in the warmer parts of zone 7 with some protection from the wind. Moderate humidity levels are best for Chinese fringe flower shrubs. In arid regions, they benefit from being misted.
Fertilizer
In spring, apply a slow-release, granular fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants, such as a product designed specifically for azaleas and rhododendrons. Sprinkle it on the soil around the plant, following the product instructions for quantity.
Pruning
Chinese fringe flower only requires pruning if you want to control the size of the plant or remove damaged stems. Prune in late fall after the plant finishes flowering.
Potting and Repotting Chinese Fringe Flower
Small cultivars of Chinese fringe flower shrubs that grow only 2-3 feet tall are excellent choices for large patio containers. Fill the container with organically rich, well-draining garden soil or commercial potting soil and set the plant in the container so the top of the root ball is at or just below the soil line. Water it well at planting. Plants in containers often need more frequent watering than those in soil, so monitor the container frequently to keep the planting medium moist. The shrub grows quickly but is unlikely to outgrow a large container in a single season. If it does, repot it in a container at least 3 inches wider.
Pests and Problems
Chinese fringe flower is susceptible to common garden sap-sucking pests such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites.
The shrub can be affected by fungal lesions and galls that can't be cured, but they can sometimes be prevented or managed. Prune and destroy any affected leaves. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves and twigs during the growing season and again in fall. Water from the bottom to keep the foliage dry during the season.
How to Propagate Chinese Fringe Flower
The best way to propagate Chinese fringe flower shrubs is via stem cuttings. In spring or early summer, take 6- to 8-inch softwood cuttings from an established shrub. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings, leaving 2-3 leaves at the top. Dip the bottom of each cutting in a rooting hormone and insert it into a small pot filled with moist potting soil. Cover each pot with a clear plastic bag large enough not to touch the leaves of the cutting and put the pots in a warm, brightly lit location, checking regularly to keep the potting soil moist. When new growth appears in 6 to 8 weeks, remove the plastic bags and place the pots in bright light (not full sun). Don't plant them in the garden until the following spring. Note: Gardeners shouldn't propagate patented shrubs.
Types of Chinese Fringe Flower
'Rubrum' Chinese Fringe Flower
Loropetalum chinense ‘Rubrum’ is a broadleaf shrub with pink to red blooms and purple to greenish-purple foliage. With a height and width of 3-6 feet, it makes an excellent hedge or specimen plant. It blooms in March-April with slightly aromatic flowers. Zones 7-10
'Pizazz' Chinese Fringe Flower
Loropetalum chinense ‘Pizazz’ is available in two forms: pink and white to pale yellow. It grows to 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide and is an excellent choice for a privacy hedge. Zones 7-9
'Snow Dance' Chinese Fringe Flower
Loropetalum chinense ‘Snow Dance’ is compact with showy white spider flowers in spring that repeat throughout the year. It is excellent as an accent plant or in a mass planting. It grows to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide in zones 7-9.
'Emerald Snow' Chinese Fringe Flower
Loropetalum chinense ‘Emerald Snow’ is one of the smaller Chinese fringe flower shrubs. It produces bright white flowers in spring and again in late summer or early fall. At 2-3 feet tall with a spread of 3-4 feet, 'Emerald Snow' is a good choice for a large container, garden bed or specimen plant in zones 7-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Chinese fringe flower shrubs deer-resistant?Chinese fringe flower shrubs are highly deer-resistant and an excellent choice for homes in areas known to have deer. Deer leave Chinese fringe flower alone unless there is no other food in the area.
Chinese fringe flower shrubs are highly deer-resistant and an excellent choice for homes in areas known to have deer. Deer leave Chinese fringe flower alone unless there is no other food in the area.
- What are the Chinese fringe flower shrub pollinators?The flowers attract bees, honey bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
The flowers attract bees, honey bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.