<em>Loropetalum</em>: planting, pruning and care

Description and botany

Loropetalum constitute a small genus, close to Hamamelis, limited to one to three species of which the species chinense is mainly cultivated. These bushes of the family Hamamelidaceae occur in Himalaya, China and Japan. The species chinense inhabits forests and copses of China, regions of northern and eastern India (Assam) and a small area east of Osaka (Ise). It grows up to 1,200 m altitude on rocky hills and in open, dry wood. Rather tender, it requires long, warm summers so that wood is well ripened to withstand frosts down to −10°C.

Loropetalum have a dense, fairly spreading habit reaching up to 2 m in all directions, with long, flexible branches. Over time they can grow further – some century-old specimens never pruned reach about 10 m tall! But compact cultivars exist, such as ‘Ruby Runner’, which barely exceed 35 cm in height by 60 cm across and are ideal as groundcover at front of a border, to occupy a pot at the foot of an upright bush or even a hanging basket.

Foliage, with a thick lamina on a short petiole, consists of small, entire, ovate, pointed leaves 2–5 cm long that alternate in a single plane along fine horizontal twigs. Foliage remains evergreen in not-too-severe climates. Leaves are sometimes red at emergence before turning mid-green as days lengthen. Some cultivars, such as ‘Red Tip’, remain purple throughout year.

Unlike Hamamelis, flowering is little or not fragrant, emitting a few honeyed scents while being melliferous and nectariferous. Flowering can begin in February and finish in April depending on cultivar and severity of climate, lasting about three weeks. A summer repeat may be observed if branches are not cut back at end of flowering. Flowers can cover entire foliage and produce a truly spectacular effect when bush is well established and growing in good conditions. Equipped with four long, ribbon-like petals slightly twisted, 1–2 cm long, they are grouped in compact corymbs of 3–6, giving the appearance of small pom-poms in the axil of the leaves. Cultivars with pink, red or purplish flowers are particularly attractive as they harmonise with purplish tones of foliage. Fruits are villous brown capsules, ovoid, 8 mm in diameter, containing two seeds.

Striking atypical flowers and young purple foliage of Loropetalum chinense ‘Pipa’s Red’.

Main varieties of Loropetalum

Compact varieties

Vigorous varieties

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Pipas Red - Chinese Witch Hazel

This recent variety stands out for its very dark, bronze-purple foliage that particularly showcases its delightful bright pink flowering. Its compact habit allows it to be planted in any garden, even the smallest.

• Flowering time April to October
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Ever Red - Chinese Witch Hazel

A very interesting cultivar thanks to its small size, which makes it easy to grow in a pot or container. In early spring it displays a glowing red flowering, perfectly in harmony with its dark purple foliage.

• Flowering time April to June
• Height at maturity 80 cm

See the product sheet

Loropetalum chinense

This is the type species. It bears pretty white flowers, slightly scented, with narrow petals. Its foliage, red at first, gradually turns green. It can be planted as a specimen, in a hedge or at the back of a border.

• Flowering time March to May
• Height at maturity 2 m

See the product sheet

Planting

Where to plant Loropetalum?

Loropetalum chinense is best planted in partial shade in fertile, well-drained, lime-free soil. Hardy down to -10°C, suits mild climates and cool summers but beware, young plants can suffer from -5/-6°C, so must be protected from severe frosts in northern France. You can site it in colder areas (down to -10°C), trained against a sheltered wall.

Although relatively tolerant of heat and drought once established, it nevertheless prefers partial shade, lime-free soils… and mild climates! In southern areas, opt for afternoon shade or shelter under the shade of a leafy tree, while full sun suits well in cool climates.

When to plant?

Plant loropetalums preferably in spring if winters are severe and in autumn otherwise, to ensure deep rooting before summer drought.

How to plant?

For planting a loropetalum :

1. Immerse rootball in a bucket of water to thoroughly moisten it.
2. Dig a planting hole, 50 cm in every direction or a trench for a hedge.
3. Add a 10 cm drainage layer (gravel, sand…) if your soil is clayey.
4. Add well-rotted manure or compost if soil is sandy.
5. Place plant in the planting hole.
6. Replace soil and firm lightly.
7. Water.
8. Spread a layer of mulch at the base to help keep roots cool. This will also limit weed growth.

Establishment is easy and rapid and requires only monitoring of watering during the first two years after planting.

Loropetalum chinense ‘Ever Red’ is well suited to container growing.

Care and pruning

Loropetalum are very undemanding and require little care.

Water regularly for first two years, particularly during hot, dry periods. Unlike many bushes, pruning for flowering is not necessary.

Prune if necessary to reduce size of bush, after flowering. Use a shear, avoiding cutting back into old wood.

Potential diseases and pests

Few diseases or pests attack Loropetalum. Foliage sometimes shows chlorosis when soil is too calcareous. Add leaf mould or blond turf to lower pH. Beware of waterlogged soils that can favour root rot and lead to death of bush. Bush sometimes develops tumours that girdle twigs due to olive knot (Pseudomonas savastanoï), incurable. Thoroughly disinfect pruning shear.

Propagation: how to propagate Loropetalum

Loropetalum is easily propagated by cuttings in late summer (around August/September) from tips of lignified shoots produced in August.

Propagation by cuttings

Prepare a deep pot by filling it with potting compost mixed with sand, or take cuttings directly in open ground if soil is light, after loosening it with a garden fork, then moistening it.

1. Take a lignified stem 15–20 cm long from tip of a current-year shoot.
2. Remove leaves located near base of the cutting.
3. Insert the cuttings to two-thirds of their length, ensuring they do not touch.
4. Firm compost gently all around to eliminate air pockets and ensure good contact between compost and cutting.
5. Place them in shade under a sheltered cold frame.
6. Wait until end of following spring to plant cuttings out. 

Uses and companion plants

Loropetalum can be used as a standalone specimen with their spreading bushy habit, evergreen or semi-evergreen tinted light green or purple. Flexible horizontal shoots adorned with small leaves give a very elegant look, especially as the generous, spider-like flowering remains very light. They stand out in spring scenes, nicely coloured while garden is still sparsely in bloom.

A spring planting idea: Loropetalum chinense ‘Fire Dance’, Magnolia stellata, Muscaris armeniacum, Narcissus poeticus ‘Actaea’, Narcissus ‘Stint’, Euphorbia characias ssp. wulfenii and a few silver balls of Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’.

These bushes have become very fashionable on terraces or balconies of urban gardens but also in English-style gardens for their originality and the combinations possible with perennials such as oriental hellebores or spring bulbs (snowdrops, muscaris, crocus, fritillaries…). They are well suited to pot cultivation and space-saving. Their trailing form also suits planting in height above a low wall.

They can also be used in an informal hedge to attract pollinators, or within a bed of heather-soil bushes with staggered flowerings: camellias, shrubby heathers, witch-hazel, azaleas and rhododendrons, andromedas and Hydrangea for example. They can also be grown as bonsai. Like deciduous azaleas with which it forms sublime combinations, Loropetalum chinense proves fairly economical in water once well established. In neutral soil and mild climate, it will accompany flowering of China roses (‘Old Blush’) from February.

Did you know?

The name Loropetalum comes from the Latin loro, meaning “strap”, and petalum, “petal”, in reference to the spidery appearance of the corolla.