Evergreen shrubs (Flowering) – Plum Delight Loropetalum

• Plum delight loropetalum 

Botanical name: Loropetalum chinense ‘Plum Delight’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 6- 12 ft in height and in width

Bloom time: spring and summer

Hardy zone: zones 7-10

Flower color: Bright Fuchsia

Foliage color: deep purple/deep red

Growth rate: less than 2 ft a year

Pruning instructions:  prune as soon as the plant is done flowering. Do not remove more that ¼ of the size of the plant at once

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: Accent, Beds, Border, Coastal Gardens, Cottage Gardens, Courtyard, Foundation, Hedge, Mass Plantings, Patio

Light needs: 6 hours of light a day 

Special features: deer resistant 

Watering instructions: water every other day for the first 3 – 4 months and then reduce watering to about once every week or 2 depending on the amount of rainfall throughout the week

Fertilizing instructions : apply a slow release fertilizer in the early spring

Best time to plant: early-mid spring 

Best type of soil: loamy 

Companion plants: podocarpus, philodendrons, drift roses

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and plants 

Invasive species: no