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The Chinese Fringe Flower orLoropetalum chinense[lor - oh - PET - al - um , chi - NEN - see ] is one of the most visually pleasing plants for the landscape .
Native to China , Japan , and other character of Southeast Asia , this unfolding evergreen shrub belongs to the familyHamamelidaceae , better known as the witch - hazel family .
Aptly , a popular common name for the plant is the Chinese witch - hazel .
The genus name is a derivative of Grecian wordsloronandpetalon , which mean shoulder strap and leaf / petal respectively .
The specific epithet , on the other hand , refers to the Taiwanese nativity of the plant .
The striking foliage and beautiful small blossom are a outstanding addition to a garden in need of fantastic twelvemonth - round garden interest group .
Loropetalum Chinense Plant Care
Size & Growth
When all the right growing conditions are provided to the strap flower , it adds a flare-up of color to the garden in the form of a large bush .
Loropetalum chinense can grow up to a magnificent height between 12 ’ and 15 ’ understructure with an approximately 10 ’ base spread .
There are smaller and more heavyset varieties , growing up to a maximum of 2 ’ to 3 ’ along with medium varieties raise around 4′ – 6′ animal foot tall .
The common fringe flower has alternately - arranged ovate leaves .
They have a slightly abrasive feeling and are 1″ – 2 ” inches foresighted and 1″ inch widely .
The coarse species grows light to olive - green leaves in arc branches .
These variety color with the season in some USDA zone to a red or yellow but stay green in others .
Loropetalum chinensevar rubrum , on the other hand , has reddish - purpleness to burgundy foliage .
Flowering and Fragrance
Flower color for Loropetalum chinense species depends on the variety .
The common Chinese witch - hazel has creamy white flowers .
Varieties like “ Fire Dance ” , “ Raspberry Fringe ” , and “ Daruma ” have pinkish flowers , wander from dark garden pink and fuchsia to rosiness .
Each flower has minute misrepresented , spidery , strap - shape flower petal ; hence , the vulgar name strap flower .
Come the salad days time in previous winter , they part appear in clusters and continue adding interest until early spring .
They are lightly aromatic .
Light & Temperature
Full sun to part Lord’s Day is what this Chinese witch - hazel plant needs .
Full sunshine in the itsy-bitsy hours of the forenoon will help raise more vibrantly - colourize peak .
However , some partial spook from the afternoon sunlight will avail .
As for temperatures , these plants are wintertime - stalwart .
They thrive and produce the deepest colour when the temperature go down .
In fact , they can go down to 5 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( -15 ° C ) , intend they are hardy to USA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10 .
Watering and Feeding
Since Loropetalum chinense has fair water motivation , casual or infrequent lacrimation is all they involve to be sizeable .
Be very thrifty about overwatering the works as the Taiwanese fringe bloom is prone toroot guff . To keep this , mulch the plants .
For optimal flowering and new growth , feed the plant life withslow - release and balanced gritty fertilizer .
Dilute the rule in water and feast the root field two or three times in the year .
Soil & Transplanting
Organically rich and fertile soil is of preference here .
Light , well - drained soil mixtures are the best way to go for witch hazel plants .
If you ’re using a large grease type , it ’s important you improve its drainage and be measured about lachrymation or it may harm the plant life .
Transplanting is commend when you ’re propagating the plant .
Semi - ripe root cuttings are change to 1 - congius containers and then moved into the undercoat .
prefer a gay location which gets wad of sunlight with some good afternoon ghost .
Transplant in the summertime with some bottom heat for practiced results .
Grooming and Maintenance
When it come to maintenance , mulching is something you need to be careful with .
As the temperatures start dipping , mulch the plant to prevent ascendent putrefaction .
As for pruning , bump off leggy shoots to bring the new growth ahead .
Once the industrial plant has bloom , deadheading is encouraged .
You do n’t have to shape the plants but may do so if you ’re using them as a hedge or in containers .
How to Propagate Chinese Fringe Plant
Propagation is well done with semi - ripe root cuttings .
When the works has new growth , take cut in the summer and transplant them in containers or in the ground .
You may dip the bottom in a rooting endocrine as it may advance better rooting .
Chinese Fringe Plant Pest or Diseases
Taiwanese fringe plants are mostly free of pest and disease issues .
There may be some susceptibility to mites and aphid , but they are easy to treat and prevent .
If your plant is growing in very alkaline soils , greensickness may occur .
Also , heavy soils and misfortunate drain can run to ancestor rot .
Loropetalum Chinense Plant Uses
Whether you use the species of this evergreen shrub for good deal planting , in container or as landscape plants , they expect incredible .
Put them in foundation planting , hedges , garden borders , and even in woodland areas without any worries as they are cervid - immune .
