Fringe-flower is a Spring Firecracker

With spring in the air and so many plants in bloom it is hard to pick one spectacular plant to be the Plant of the Month. One real show stopper is Loropetalum chinense, Chinese Fringe-flower. All Plant of the Month's are located in the Wilson Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 1806 S. Goldsboro Street, or can be view on-line at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wilson/staff/clauderd/plantofthemonth.html.

Loropetalum is a 6-10 foot shrub depending on cultivar with similar spread. It is hardy from Zone 7 to 9. Leaves are evergreen or everpurple depending on variety 1-2.5 inches long and ¾ to 1 inch wide. It is a fast grower with an irregular rounded habit. As it matures it becomes an upright, vase-shaped specimen.

Loropetalum has attractive bark, old stems exfoliate revealing a rich brown bark but is seldom seen since the plant is usually lush with foliage.

It flowers either white or pink depending on cultivar. The flowers are fragrant but not over powering and open in April but tend to repeat bloom throughout the year. Flowers are effective for 3 weeks or more in the garden and as mentioned a few flowers are seen almost anytime of year. The flowers are strap-like and remind me of fireworks or firecrackers.

Loropetalum is easily transplanted from containers, prefers acid, moist, well-drained soil. High organic matter can be beneficial. Plant in full sun to medium shade. Can be pruned and response well, although most of my loyal readers know I am not a big advocate of severe pruning rituals.

Loropetalum is relatively insect and disease free so it makes for an excellent plant in the border, for screening, or even foundation planting if sited correctly. An effective plant in the garden whether as a single specimen or in a group planting.

There are several green leaf forms with white flowers but more common in the landscape are the reddish-purple leaves with fuchsia-pink, pink or white with pink striped flowers. At my home I grow 'Zhuzhou Fuchsia' which was offered by the Master Gardener plant sale. It has a blackish maroon leaf that holds it's color even through the hot summers. It is an upright plant with deep pink flowers. It is also very cold hardy. In the Arboretum I believe we have the cultivar 'Blush'. It is a compact grower with purple foliage and rich fuchsia pink flowers. Tends to be shorter than many cultivars and is listed to grow 4-6 feet high.

The Wilson Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is open daily from sun up until dusk. The Wilson County Master Gardeners can answer gardening questions from 1-3 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by calling 237-0113 or email at wilsonmastergardener@hotmail.com.

Date Created: 5/3/04.