Loropetalum Zhuzhou
Loropetalum Zhuzhou
Zhuzhou Pink Loropetalum, commonly known as the Chinese Fringe Flower, is a grand, fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for its intense, dark purple foliage and electric-pink spring blooms. Unlike cultivars that fade to green in summer heat, 'Zhuzhou Pink' holds a deep, dark purple-to-maroon foliage color all season long, shifting to deep red-bronze during winter. In early-to-mid spring, the plant is covered in massed clusters of showy, fragrant, hot-fuchsia spider-like flowers with ribbon-like petals, with sporadic reblooming through summer and fall. The Ahuzhou Loropetalum can reach a mature height of 10 to 15 feet with an 8 to 12-foot spread. Its upright growth makes it the best Loropetalum choice for training into a small, elegant multi-trunked patio tree or a tall, dense privacy screen.
| Scientific Name | Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum 'Zhuzhou Pink' (Zhuzhou Chinese Fringe Flower) |
| Foliage: Evergreen |
Upright, multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree habit with arching branches. Leaves: Oval/ovate, 1–2 inches long; emerges deep blackish-purple and retains a dark burgundy-black color throughout summer; turns bronze-red in winter Flowers: Showy, fragrant, vibrant hot-pink to deep fuchsia spider-like blossoms with thin, ribbon-like petals; prolific main bloom in early-to-mid spring, with intermittent blooms through summer/fall Fruit: Small, woody 2-valved capsule (~1/4 inch long); inconspicuous Seeds: Small, hard black seeds housed within the woody capsules; ejects forcefully when dry Bark: Smooth grayish-brown on young branches, maturing to a slightly fissured, dark charcoal-brown bark on older wood |
| Life Span: Perennial | 30–50+ years |
| Mature Height | 10–15 ft (one of the tallest, most tree-like Loropetalum cultivars) |
| Mature Width (Spread) | 8–12 ft |
| Growth Rate | Fast (18–24 inches per year) |
| USDA Zone / Chill Hours | Zones 7a–10 (Cold hardy down to 0°F to 5°F / -15°C to -18°C); No chill hours required |
PLANT CARE & CHARACTERISTICS
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade (Full sun develops the deepest, dark-purple leaf color and maximum bloom density).
Water Requirements: Moderate; keep moist until established; drought-tolerant once fully rooted.
Drought Resistance: High once established.
Soil Type: Prefers moist, well-draining, highly organic soils; strictly requires acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0–6.5); highly prone to chlorosis (yellowing) in alkaline soils.
Deer Resistance: Very High (Deer almost always ignore Loropetalum foliage).
Pest / Disease Resistance: Highly resistant to most insects, diseases, and Root-knot Nematodes; susceptible to spider mites in dry heat or iron chlorosis in high pH soils.
Pollination: Insect-pollinated; highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Pruning: Prune immediately after the main spring flower flush (late spring) to shape or prune into a small single- or multi-trunked accent tree. Avoid late-season pruning as it removes next spring's flower buds.