http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56040/
I've tried 2 times to plant this shrub in a part sun location and both times the dark leaves turned to green, and the plant just slowly faded away.
I would like to try a mass of them for a privacy hedge in a full sun location, and wanted to know what I could do to make sure I am successful this time. My soil is sandy on top with hard clay below.
Help with Chinese Fringe Flower, Witch Hazel, Loropetalum
I don't know but when you find out, I want to know. I have 3 three gallon containers of them along with lots of variegated liriope waiting to be planted in the shade???????????? Sounds like the lady at the nursery just wanted to sell them to me>
Don't lose hope, in addition to the part sun they were also in sandy, drier, soil and maybe they weren't "wet" enough. Let's see what others say.
LarissaH, Loropetalum are shallow rooted plants that prefer moist well drained neutral to slightly acidic soil. From what I have read, color is influenced by fertilizer. Some plants lose their color in hot weather. I don't know if the same is true for Loropetalum, but something to consider. You mentioned that you have sandy soil with hard clay below. Did you bring in the sandy soil? Is the clay layer the native soil or is it a hard pan? If it is a hard pan, you will need to break through it to allow the soil to drain properly. If the clay soil is the native soil, you will have to incorporate about 4" of organic matter into the top 4 - 6" clay soil to break up that compacted soil and to provide a transition layer. The sandy soil will also need organic matter incorporated into it to help retain moisture. Most Texas soils, except for far East Texas and the Post Oak Savanna areas, are mildly to highly alkaline. Find out what the pH of your soil is. You may have to add sulfur or some other acidifying agent to bring that soil pH down to at least neutral. Mulching will also help keep the shallow roots cool and moist.
http://www.paghat.com/fringeflower.html
I don't know much about Lorepetalum, but I have one planted under a huge live oak. It's doing well with very little attention from me except compost in the spring, but my dirt is fortunately very deep loamy clay. The leaves are dark purple mostly, but it doesn't bloom much. Could be it just needs fertilizer. I thought there was a dwarf version of this plant, but I'm not sure. I hope so because I have another spot that needs one, but it'll have to be short, like not more than 4 feet.
Larissa, do you know what the ph of your soil is there?
I've tried Lorapetalum and failed. I know that it has the same requirements as azaleas, except it wants more sun. Slightly acidic, moist, but well drained soil... I learned from a grower, that how it grows (upright or outward) depends on where the cutting for that particular plant came from - a side branch or a terminal point. Side - outward; terminal - upward. That at least explained why mine looked like a heavy animal had used them as a chair.
I was told they are shade plants too. I planted two last fall, on their recommendation as a good shade shrub from the nursery. One is in full shade and not doing well. The other gets just a little morning sun, and has tripled in size this year, although it didn't bloom. Don't know if it needs more sun, or if it was just too little and needed to grow instead. But it did stay purple all year and is otherwise doing well in mostly shade.
I have one and it is planted in full Florida sun. Our soil is sandy. It gets watered about twice a week with a micro jet system. It seems to be happy and is starting to bloom again.
I did noticed that after our little cool spell last week, that the leaves seem to be alittle darker. That's all I can add. : )
~Lucy
Is it possible this plant takes on the darker hue with the shorter cooler days of fall? I know succulents tend to do that...
I have three cultivars of loropetalum, and one that is trained into a standard tree. The tree is blooming now.
After planting, all but one of my loropetalum pouted, lost a few leaves, and had some leaves turn red. Now that it is getting cooler, even more leaves are turning red.
I have found that loropetalum will tell you if they need water, by wilting. And they do need more water than I originally thought. Also, they don't like mulch burying their trunks deeply, so I pull it back a few inches. They like peaty soil, with added compost or rotted manure. Did you amend your soil for them?
My cultivar that is doing the very best, with the prettiest purple leaves, that has taken every transition in stride and asked for nothing, is called 'Zhou Zhou' and it came from Lazy S Nursery via mail. Next best is the standard tree, which must be at least 3 years old or more, and is an unknown cultivar.
'Hines Purpleleaf' and 'Plum Delight' are the ones that have lost the most leaves now that it has gotten cooler.
Thanks for your input guys.
I'm smack in the middle of Post Oak Savannah area, in fact, my home is surrounded by them. It's odd because I have extreme versions of soil all in different areas of my yard - very sandy (even rocky) in some areas, and clay so hard I have to use literally a pick axe to help break it up when I'm planting. Not much in between. I have learned to basically dig extra big holes and amend the soil with peat moss with each planting.
I'm still confused - full sun or shade for these babies? I'll get a soil tester for the ph level...
Larissa,
I have mine in full sun. Our house faces north, though. The tree standard is on the west side in full blazing unprotected evening sun (and it loves it). That is my dryest, toughest, poorest bed, but I made it a 3 foot wide hole and amended well.
The others are on the north side of the house. They are currently shaded, but will be full all day sun when summer comes.
I also have a layer of clay, but it is located about 12 to 18" below the surface, and is our house pad. We've had to use a pick axe, too.
Yes, north side of house is where I will be planting mine, too. I was going to set them far out enough that once they take off only their roots will be shaded in winter, but otherwise full sun.
I'm not doing this until spring, but I want it so badly...lol. I have a loooong manufactured home and it's just so plain looking on that side right now. I've already planted 3 crape myrtles, oleander, and a Dragon Tree (Paulownia) spread out in strategic areas to give privacy to windows. I just though the arching branches and purple/red colored leaves would be a beautiful contrast to the usual drab choice in hedges.
Larissa,
The 'Zhou Zhou' cultivar looks spectacular mixed with variegated liriope and pink/yellow lantana. I highly recommend this cultivar!!!! Right now, the central leaves are deep purple plum, and the outer ones are mulberry pink. Also, because I love color, I have alternated 'Rose Glow' barberry, roses, abelia 'Edward Goucher', and a yellow/green variegated elaeagnus called 'Eleador'. The brighter the better, in my opinion, and I love the sprawly cottagy look.
Mercer Arboretum has theirs planted in full sun, and they are spectacular. I have understood that they require sun or they will be sparse and gangly. I would say at least a half day of sun...west sun is really never necessary for most things in Texas. (I said MOST!)
Mine are going on the north side of the house where they will not receive sun until the morning sun next spring. This area stays pretty damp and I do have peat moss and soil conditioner still sitting on the ground where they will be planted....I can't get lantana to bloom without a lot of sun, at least more sun than this area will have. So, I am sticking to lots of small variegated liriope.