On "The Fringe" No Longer!

Blog by Michelle Krespi

As part of my UC Master Gardeners training, I had the privilege of taking my first Horticulture class at Solano Community College, taught by a long-standing UC Master Gardener, Sandra Diehl. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of over six hundred plants that thrive in Solano County. In her Plant Identification course, we learned thirteen new plants each week. It was there that I was exposed to a shrub with the common name of Chinese Fringe Flower.[1]Loropetalum Chinese var. rubrum, also known as Redleaf loropetalum, is a broadleaf evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub (or small tree) of the Hamamelidaceae or witch hazel family. When grown as shrub, it has a rounded to vase-shaped, multi-stemmed habit. It has arching branches and typically grows from 6-8’ tall and wide, but can reach heights of up to 20’ tall and more! It has a symmetrical base with dark green leaves with undersides that are both pale green and pubescent[2]. The leaves grow alternately and are elliptical. The fringe flowers[3] bloom from late March to April with clusters of white, spidery flowers that are lightly fragrant. 

This plant is native to China, Southeast Asia, and Japan, growing in woodlands and thickets. The species that has white flowers made its way to the US in the 1880’s. After the pink flowered variety was introduced, the plant’s popularity exploded. This plant prefers full sun combined with some afternoon shade, providing the optimum conditions for both flowering and leaf color. It also prefers to be in an area protected from winter winds. It loves to be mulched, which offers both protection in the winter and moisture retention in the summer. It would be wise to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem to prevent rot. Another handy feature is that once established, the shrub is drought tolerant and easily transplantable! The best planting time is in the spring, so it is established before winter approaches. The feature I appreciate the most is its versatility. It can be used as a border, a screen, and around foundations. You can even espalier or bonsai it! In its low-growing form, it can be used as an effective ground cover. It can also be pruned into a small tree. It has no serious insect or disease issues. It is deer resistant and, other than deadheading, needs truly little pruning. It can be easily propagated through semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat. Pruning is recommended after the blooming period ends in summer to early fall.[4] Like many plants, it is best to avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.[5] 

The best time to fertilize loropetalums is after they bloom. The best fertilizer to use is a balanced one with a ratio of 10-10-10, and since this is an acid-loving plant, it is best to use an acidifying fertilizer. Make sure when you apply the fertilizer that you sprinkle it in an area wider than the base to reach the roots that are growing outwards. Although this plant is an introduced species from Asia and not native to North America, it is not considered an invasive plant, nor is it toxic to either humans or pets. With so many advantages and so few downsides to growing this plant as a tree, shrub, or ground cover, it is no wonder I find it all over Fairfield and Napa![6]