Plant of the Season: Loropetalum Chinense “Plum Gorgeous”
Plant of the Season is brought to you by Gayle Parkes, OGV sub-committee member. She also posts to OGV's Instagram - make sure you check back regularly for her latest post.
Our spring plant of the season is Loropetalum Chinense “Plum Gorgeous”
Loropetalum is a genus of four species of shrubs or small trees in the witch-hazel family, Hamamelidaceae, native to China, Japan, and south-eastern Asia.
There are two main forms of Loropetalum, sometimes referred to as the Chinese Fringe Flower. Popular in our garden centres are those with white to pale yellow flowers and green foliage and the pink-flowering varieties with deeper bronze and plum foliage.
For me though, one variety is an absolute standout ….. Lorapetalum chinense "Plum Gorgeous". It really is a no fuss solution to many uses in the home garden, and as a bonus, requires minimal maintenance once established. It was bred right here in Australia and is charming gardeners around the country, thanks to its graceful, compact and pendulous form.
Loropetalum “Plum Gorgeous” certainly lives up to its name with its stunning foliage. It boasts the deepest, darkest plum-coloured foliage found amongst Loropetalums and retains this brilliant colour all year round.
But it’s in spring and again in autumn when it really comes into its own, adding even more allure to the plant with its showy swathes of tassel-like flowers. Clusters of flowering ribbons smother the bush, ranging in colour from bright magenta to vivid deep raspberry to hot pink, making for a truly breathtaking display.
Growing to approximately 1.5m high and 2m wide L. Plum Gorgeous enjoys full sun or part shade. This fabulous shrub grows well in most soils that are well draining. Once established water requirements are low but do not allow it to dry out over extended periods of heat. No pruning is generally required other than shaping to style. A light trim after flowering will, however, help to maintain a neat, compact shape. It will appreciate an application of a slow release fertiliser after flowering. The good news is L. Plum Gorgeous is relatively pest and disease free.
This showy shrub is very versatile. It looks great when planted as a hedge. Equally perfect, it also shines when grown as a feature plant in a container, or as a specimen plant in a garden border. Whichever way you choose to feature your L. Plum Gorgeous it is sure to make a statement. It is the kind of plant that would not look out of place in any style of garden, be it oriental, contemporary or cottage-style. Is there an area in your garden that could do with a sweep of deep purple? Imagine it growing amongst some brilliant blue salvias, or the lime green of different varieties of euphorbias. The options are endless, only limited by our imaginations. You couldn’t go past this low maintenance, drought and frost tolerant staple. It’s such a “good do-er”. You will find Loropetalum in all good garden centres.