Evergreen Shrubs (Flowering) – Purple Diamond Loropetalum

• Purple diamond loropetalum

Botanical name: Loropetalum chinense ‘purple diamond’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 2 – 6 ft in height and 2 – 5 ft spread

Bloom time: spring and summer 

Hardy zone: zones 7-10

Flower color: pink

Foliage color: purple 

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, Containers, Cottage Gardens, Courtyard, Foundation, Hedge, Mass Plantings,

Light needs: at least 4 hours of light per day 

Special features: colorful foliage year-round

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: spring or fall 

Best type of soil: loamy

Companion plants: abelia, pittosporum, nandina

Toxicity level: non-toxic for humans and pets

Invasive species: no