Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Fire dance - Loropétale de Chine

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Fire Dance’, or Chinese witch hazel, forms a compact shrub with purple evergreen foliage, decorative even outside its flowering period. Its young ruby-red leaves turn dark green in summer. From the end of winter, many clusters of fuchsia-pink flowers appear on the twigs. Composed of narrow, crumpled petals, they resemble those of witch hazels. Moderately hardy, sensitive to lime, this variety is suitable for sheltered beds and container growing.

Loropetalum belongs to the family Hamamelidaceae. The botanical species is native to Asia, present from Assam and southern China to northern Indochina, as well as Japan and Taiwan. It grows in open woods, copses, and on rocky slopes. The rubrum form, with red or purplish flowers, comes from southeastern China, notably the Guangxi and Hunan provinces. 'Fire Dance' is a Chinese selection introduced in 1995 by the Canadian nursery Piroche Plants. It has a more compact habit than the type species, whose flowers are white and leaves green. This shrub lives for many years. Its growth is moderately fast and its branches gradually become denser. It reaches about 1.50 m in height and as much in spread after ten years. Its flexible branches, initially erect, spread out to form a rounded clump. The young twigs are tinged with purplish red. The ovate, slightly pointed leaves are 2 to 5 cm long. They emerge ruby-red, become bronze-purple, then turn more or less green during summer. The foliage persists through winter in regions with mild winters. After a severe frost, some leaves may fall before spring renewal. Flowering occurs in March and April, sometimes from February to May depending on the climate. The flowers are grouped in clusters of three to six along the twigs. Each bears four petals dark pink to fuchsia, cut into narrow strips 1 to 2 cm long. Slightly twisted, they give the clusters a ruffled appearance. Their subtle fragrance recalls honey. A second, less abundant flowering may appear at the end of summer if the plant has not been pruned after spring. 'Fire Dance' prefers oceanic or Mediterranean climates, or sheltered positions near a wall. Its hardiness reaches -8 to -10 °C in well-drained soil and it is quite water-efficient.

In a favourable climate or in a frost-free garden, Loropetalum 'Fire Dance' pairs easily with evergreen shrubs for heather soil. For example, with Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide' which offers red flowers in autumn and Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' with its fine, light foliage. Pieris japonica 'Little Heath', more compact, blends cream, pink and green tones in spring. Nandina domestica 'Twilight' is also suitable due to its variegated foliage, tinged with pink on the young shoots. These shrubs allow you to create a colourful bed all year round, in soft sun or partial shade.