Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Ever Red - Chinese Witch Hazel

Loropetalum chinense Ever Red 'Chang Nian Hong' is a devilishly attractive new American creation, covered in dark purple-violet evergreen foliage throughout the year. During flowering, the bush lights up, adorned with curious bright red ribbons gathered in small pompoms. This Loropetalum also charms with its compact and slightly spreading habit, well suited to small gardens and container gardening on a terrace. While it proves hardy and relatively tolerant of heat and drought once well established, it still prefers partial shade, mild climates, cool summers, and limestone-free soils.

Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum, or Chinese Fringe Flower with purple leaves, belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family, as evidenced by its 4 long ribbon-like petals that resemble those of Witch Hazel. It is native to the forests of the Himalayas in China and the northern and eastern regions of India, where it grows up to an altitude of 1200m (3937ft). Ever Red is a recently selected cultivar in the USA by Mark Griffith, a specialist in the genus. This cultivar has a bushy, dense and spreading habit, forming a cushion shape. It will reach a height of about 80cm (32in) and a width of 1m (3ft) at maturity. Over time, it can spread and grow to reach 1.75m (6ft) in all directions. It develops evergreen foliage in moderately cold climates. The leaves, entire and ovate in shape, measuring 2 to 5cm (1 to 2in) in length, are red when they first emerge, then take on a very dark purple-violet colour that they retain throughout the season. The abundant, honey-scented and nectar-rich flowering occurs from March to May, earlier or later depending on the climate, and lasts about 3 weeks. The flowers, larger than those of other Loropetalum, are grouped in 3 to 6 at the axil of the leaves along the branches. They are composed of 4 slightly twisted ribbon-like petals, bright red in colour, and have a slight fragrance. The almost flashy red tone of the flowers creates a magnificent contrast with the dark colour of the foliage.

Loropetalum is a perfect plant. Interesting in all seasons, well suited for container gardening, and not space-consuming, it appeals to every gardener. It stands out in spring scenes, beautifully coloured when the garden is still sparsely blooming. The honey-scented flowers are also a good source of nectar for bees early in the season. While the shrub is relatively hardy once well established, young plants can suffer from temperatures as low as -6 or -7°C (21.2 or 19.4°F), so they will need protection from severe frost. You can grow it in containers in cold regions, using non-limestone but fertile soil, and store it indoors in winter. It can be used in an informal hedge or within a shrub bed enriched with ericaceous soil for staggered flowering alongside camellias, shrubby heathers, witch hazels, azaleas and rhododendrons, Andromeda and Hydrangea, for example. Like deciduous azaleas, with which it forms sublime combinations, Ever Red is fairly water-efficient once well established. In neutral soil and mild climates, it complements the flowering of China roses ('Old Blush', chinensis mutabilis, x odorata), starting in February.