Loropetalum

I have never heard of this plant, but I bought it because I wanted some colorful foliage. I have been reading Natural Wildlife books and web site, and now I'm concerned that I may not have wanted this plant. It is hard to find much information on loropetum. Well, I have only tried half-heartedly. It's beautiful, but I would like to know some more about it.

If it's the same bush I have, I LOVE it!!
I have 2 different varieties, one has pretty deep purple leaves with bright pink flowers in the spring and off and on in the summer months. This one grows pretty tall (6'+) but I keep my in check by pruning. The other variety I have stays on the small side and the leaves turn more green in the summer months. This one also blooms off and on.
What did you read that would make you feel you maybe this purchase was not what you might have wanted?

I have become interested in Backyard Habitats. To do that I need to have native plants because the native plants' life cycle coinsides with the cycle of bird and butterflies. Plants that aren't native may introduce diseases or they may crowd out the native plants, also they may have fruit that is inedible to birds. They used the chestnut as an example, because the native chestnut has become extinct.

I finished planting the last 2 today. They are beautiful. Mine is "pizazz" and have burgandy foliage and bright pink fringe-like flowers. They are planted under a sweet gum tree and in front of goldenrod. I thought it would be beautiful in the fall.

I forgot to try to explain why I was concerned. It is hard for me to find much about loropetalum and one place said it is also known as Chineese witch hazel. I was afraid it had just been introduced in the US.

Lula...sounds like you planted them where they will be just beautiful...enjoy!

I think that I have the same variety that you described. Mine has been in the ground for about five years. grows very big. I have to cut it back every three to four months. Recently I pruned it to a tree shape. I like this better than the bush.

The plant tag says it grows 6'-10' x 6'-10'. I wanted the horizonal growth. They are planted close enough to form a hedge. I didn't want them to hide the goldenrod!

Lula, I have lorapetulum and love them. They will bloom in the spring and again in the fall. They are easy to grow. Just prune when they get out of hand. Jenny

I'm a newbie and don't really know how to prune right. I have 3 of these beautiful plants (established before we bought house) and they seem to be growing "thin" - meaning that they have not very many branches in the middle of the shrub. I tried cutting one of them back last year and I only got a bunch of multiple "tips" on the end of the branches. I want to get it to put off more shoots on the inner part. I'm really scared to cut off too much.

Also, what time of the year should I prune them?