Daruma Loropetalum

Featuring stunning shades of reddish-purple complemented by emerald green, Daruma Loropetalum is a color theorist’s dream! Unique clusters of tufted flowers are a bright fuchsia. The ovate leaves emerge wine colored but then mature to deep emerald. This compact evergreen, otherwise known as Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Daruma’, blooms in early spring and reblooms intermittently throughout the remainder of the season. Cold hardy in zones 7-10, Daruma adds balanced color to landscapes and supports the environment by attracting pollinators, including butterflies and bees.

Native to woodlands in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, this dwarf variety grows quickly with a bushy growth habit. Daruma is drought tolerant and hardy, making it a superb choice for busy people who appreciate beautiful landscapes. This shrub is deer resistant and suitable for areas with high deer pressure.  Daruma Loropetalum continues to add color and texture to beds, borders, and foundation plantings even through the winter. If maintained in a container, it also adds interest to patios, decks, porches, and entryways. 

Daruma Loropetalum Care

Plant this shrub in full sun to partial shade. To encourage blooming, Daruma Loropetalum needs at least four hours of direct sun; an ideal planting spot would receive morning sun followed by afternoon shade. Plant Daruma in a hole the same size as the rootball, and backfill. The soil should be loamy, well draining, and slightly acidic; a suitable pH is 4.5 to 6.5. Amend poorly draining soil with compost. 

Apply a ring of organic mulch around the shrub’s base, leaving an inch or two of space between the bottom and the mulch. Water regularly until established. Once established, water weekly during periods of no rain. Apply a slow-release fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants annually during spring.

A low-maintenance perennial, Daruma Loropetalum needs minimal pruning. Prune for shape and size after the flowering season has ended. Trim dead foliage at any time during the year. In late fall, apply a thick layer of mulch to insulate the root zone. In areas colder than zone 7, bring Daruma indoors during the winter. Refrain from fertilizing and reduce watering during winter.

Daruma Loropetalum Spacing

This broadleaf evergreen is easily managed at 2 to 5 feet high and 3 to 5 feet wide at maturity. Space each shrub 3 to 5 feet apart. Plant with azaleas, elderberry, hydrangea, lavender, and verbena.