Have any of you had luck with this guy? Three times now, I've planted these bubbas around my house to no avail, at least 4 each time. I've planted them in mostly shade, part shade/part sun, morning shade/afternoon sun, morning sun/afternoon shade. I'm worn out (and broke) with them. From their picture and the ones I've seen at Lowes' and from what I've read about them, double darn it, they should work for me. I want them up close to the house, and I think they'll be the perfect size. I have just about all short stuff around the house, like dwarf hawthorns, ground covers, lambs ear (man, I can really grow that stuff), and a vine or two. I need something taller and with color. I just (about) know this is my plant if I can just figure out what I'm doing wrong. On the other hand, I guess I don't need something that needs doting, do I? Oh yes, I planted big 3 gallon ones. Any help?
Chinese Fringe Flower (or Plant)
Have you got a sunny space? That's what mine are in and they are gorgeous! In the sun all day. They bloomed right on schedule and for a long time and then when the blossoms were still on the bushes the new growth started and is still going. If anything, the new growth is more beautiful as far as color goes than the blossoms - a deeper fuchsia. Looking at a stem on one side will be the green leaves and on the other the new red growth. I certainly haven't done anything to them. We do have an acid soil or at least on the acid side as we also have pines and the area is kept watered. I fertilize w/an all purpose time release. That's all.
Ann
Thanks Ann. I don't know if there are more than one strain of the Chinese Fringe Flower, but the tag from Lowes that I kept says Plum Delight. Also says semi-shade.
What time of the year did you plant?
Chinese Fringe Flower is known as Loropetulum (I probably have the spelling wrong). Anyway, there are a number of them if you look under Chinese Fringe Flower in plant files I didn't see one called Plum Delight but I'm thinking that that is the name of one of them. In fact at my house there are 4 planted as a shorter hedge in front of a taller hedge and the 2 end ones seem to be the same one and the 2 center are different. With the plants the way they are, the green background is a perfect foil for the dark red flowers and foliage.
Ann
Sounds beautiful. Thanks, Ann
I bought about four or five that I planted in semi-shade/full afternoon sun. They are doing great, about the third spring I think. I love the foilage color and the blooms are gravy. Mine is also the 'Plum Delight' and I got them at Mike Garden Center on Crowley Rd.
HD seems to have them all the time. I have only one because I wanted it to be a specimen. That it is. It is in full sun and I don't do anything to it. Water once a week along with everything else in the bed.
Be back in a minute. Downloading pictures right now.
Christi
Sheila, hope you had a good time today. We are going to our daughter's tomorrow and do the traditional Easter dinner and then hide eggs for her 2 year old grandaughter.
Looks like Sheila's poppys have stolen the show from the Chinese Fringe......
I have Plum Delight, also purchased at Lowe's. It was in a one-gallon container and was planted in fall of 2007. It took all of 2008 to get established, but this year it's coming on like it should. I grow it in dappled shade.
If it helps, I planted one the same year for my dad, a different variety that I got at Calloway's. It was recommended by the manager of that store for full shade. I think that one came in a 3-gallon pot--it was much bigger than my little one from Lowe's. It is in a pretty dark spot with no sun at all, and it really languished all last year. It is showing considerable improvement this year, though. Maybe they just take awhile to get going.
They look great Christi! I love those, they are like tall tulips!
I have several of these planted as foundation plants at the back of mixed beds. They will take anything from partial shade to full sun. The more sun, the more dense the foliage and more blooms. I'm surprised you're having trouble with them because they are usually easy plants. Are you watering them frequently until the roots get established? If you haven't already tried this, use diluted root stimulator on them once a week or so for a few weeks after planting. The only other suggestion I'd have is to plant them in the fall. That way the roots can get established before the heat of summer hits.
Here's a pic of mine used at the back of a bed. They have bat face cuphea, white plumbago, begonias and pentas in front of them.
Crow
Thanks for all the replies, and I love the pics. Have I lated to late to plant them now?
Red that, "have I WAITED too late."
Good grief, "READ THAT..........."
There is "no too late". They have them at HD now.
I can't believe you've had trouble with them. I almost consider mine invasive! Something about them makes me itch after I've pruned them, so I tend to avoid it until they're too big. Finally found some long gloves last week, and I'll try to prune more often. Here's a picture of a few that I had to cut back - the meatball style. I really hate them like that, so I hope I can get them "feathery" again.
Sybram, no it's not too late. Just keep them watered and they should be fine.
Irwells, they make me itch too. I wait until they are too big, then prune and loose some of the blooms!
OK girls, I'm picking three of them up tomorrow. I'll do my darndest.
When you plant your next ones, be sure to check to see if the plants are root bound. If they are, loosen the roots before you plant them. I have several and have never had a problem with them except for having to add fertilizer for acid loving plants because my native soil is alkaline. I had my oak trees trimmed and the plants receive a bit more sun than in past years. The plants were so covered in blooms this spring that I could not see the leaves (however, maybe it was because of the new fertilizer I used). I wished I had taken a photo. Plum Delight™ is also sold as 'Pizzazz', 'Hines Burgundy' and 'Hines Purpleleaf'. It grows much taller and wider than my Razzleberri® which is also sold as 'Monraz', 'Raspberry Fringe' and 'Blush'.
Hmmm. New fertilizer? What is it Hazel?
It is "Acid Adoring Natural Fertilizer - For Plants that Love Acid Soil" (4-5-4). It is made by Bradford Organics. I bought it at a "dirt place" near me. It is not the kind you mix with water and then apply.
Is it expensive?
It is $9.95 for a small 5 lb. bag which is expensive to me. But, because I have only a few plants to give it too, I thought it was worth the money because it is organic. I purchased it at Fertile Gardens on 1604 which is fairly close to me.