Tip #2: Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense)
If you want bold, rich foliage color that lasts 365 days a year, Chinese Fringe Flower deserves a prime spot in your yard. Unlike traditional green plants, purple-leaved cultivars of Loropetalum maintain deep plum or dark burgundy foliage from January through December. In early spring, these year round color shrubs erupt with clusters of lightly scented, ribbon-like flowers that resemble witch hazel blossoms. Depending on the specific cultivar you select, these vibrant fringe-like petals range from neon pink to rich magenta, creating a breathtaking visual display against the dark background foliage. Many varieties even produce sporadic bursts of blooms throughout the summer and warm autumn months.
To maximize foliage color intensity and bloom production, position your Loropetalum in full sun to partial shade. While it tolerates partial shade well, full morning sun encourages the deepest purple foliage hues. Loropetalum prefers rich, moist, but well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Once established in your garden, this resilient plant demonstrates impressive drought resistance, making it one of the most reliable low maintenance landscaping shrubs available. You can let cultivars like ‘Ever Red’ or ‘Ruby’ grow naturally into graceful six-foot screen hedges; alternatively, select dwarf cultivars like ‘Purple Pixie’ that top out at just one to two feet for colorful ground cover. Prune immediately after the main spring bloom cycle if you wish to shape the plant or control its spread.
