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Family: Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel family)
This loropetalum is covered with white flowers but they are barely
visible as they blend into the foliage until viewed up closely.
Loropetalum is a finely textured evergreen shrub. It has a loose
open form and will grow as high as 12 ft (3.7 m) and 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4
m) wide. Loropetalum has a spreading habit with branches arranged in
horizontal layers. Young shrubs have greater spread than height and
are densely branched. When vertical stems are periodically removed
loropetalum makes an effective large scale groundcover with some
newer varieties selected especially for that purpose. The flowers
are arranged in small clusters with each having 4 narrow straplike
petals that droop downward. The green-leafed varieties have fragrant
flowers that are white or yellowish. 'Rubra' and 'Razzleberri' are
among several named red flowered forms and tend to bloom earlier
than the white form. The red forms are much showier in bloom than
the white whose flowers tend to get lost with the effect that the
shrub just looks like it has lighter foliage color when in bloom.
Loropetalum chinense is native to Japan and southeastern Asia
including southern China.
Grows well in organically rich, gritty, acidic soil with good
drainage Light:Prefers partial shade. Shifting or high shade is
best.
Drought tolerant once established
Propagation: Plant fresh seed or by semi-ripe cuttings.
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