Red Chocolate Loropetalum

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-8 Feet

Mature Spread

4-6 Feet

Growing Zones

7 to 10

Flowers are often the standout feature of a shrub, and while the Red Chocolate Loropetalum boasts showy flowers, this plant also has some stellar foliage. The Loropetalum chinense 'Red Chocolate' has dark burgundy foliage with purple and chocolate-brown undertones. Fringed flowers with a deep red hue cover the entire shrub each spring. The main flush occurs in early spring, but flowers rebloom throughout the growing season.

The dense, upright growth habit allows this shrub to anchor a mass planting or provide a focal point when planted alone. Plant Loropetalum along a foundation wall or border. Conceal an unsightly fence or add privacy to a patio. Include this plant in mixed beds or grow it in a container for flexible placement options. Grow Red Chocolate Loropetalum in zones 7 through 9.

Red Chocolate Loropetalum Care

Full sun to partial shade is ideal for Loropetalum. Plant it in rich, loamy soil with good drainage and an acidic to neutral pH. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Infrequent, deep waterings are preferred, especially during a dry period. Feed the shrub with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring and midsummer.

Remove leggy overgrowth after the flowers fade to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage more branching.

Red Chocolate Loropetalum Spacing

Red Chocolate Loropetalum reaches 5 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Space shrubs 4 to 6 feet apart when creating a dense hedge.