Loropetalum chinense

RHS Plant Profile

Chinese witch hazel

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub, 2-3m high, with a spreading habit and rough, oval-shaped dark green leaves. Scented, tassel-like white flowers with long narrow petals are produced in late winter and early spring, followed by small woody nut-like seeds

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Genus: Loropetalum are evergreen, free-flowering, shrubs with star-shaped hairs. Flowers are in clusters at the end of short branches, with thin, strap-like petals similar to those of their witch hazel relatives, and also produced in late winter and early spring
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, ideally in afternoon shade with shelter from cold winds. May need watering in dry spells in summer. Not suitable for waterlogged or shallow chalk soils. Best with winter protection or overwintered in a cold greenhouse

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by rooting semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Minimal pruning required, see pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free