Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum

An evergreen shrub, 2-3m high, with a spreading habit and rough, oval-shaped dark green leaves strongly flushed with reddish-purple, especially when young. Scented, tassel-like flowers with long, narrow bright reddish pink petals are produced in late winter and early spring

Synonyms
Loropetalum chinense f. rubrum

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Red Green Red
Summer Green Red
Autumn Green Red
Winter Pink Red Green Red
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Native to the UK
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade with shelter from cold winds. May need watering in dry spells in summer. Not suitable for waterlogged or shallow chalk soils

Propagation

Propagate 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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.