| I have had a neighbor talk of a plant called aropetellums what kind of plant is this? |
| I think you mean Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense). Loropetalum is a finely textured evergreen shrub. It has a loose open form and will grow as high as 12 ft and 6-8 ft wide. Loropetalum has a spreading habit with branches arranged in horizontal layers. Young shrubs have greater spread than height and are densely branched. The flowers are arranged in small clusters with each having 4 narrow straplike petals that droop downward. Flowers resemble those of its close relative the witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana). There are white and red flowered forms of loropetalum and both bloom prolifically beginning in late winter into spring and then continue sporadically throughout the summer. The green-leafed varieties have fragrant flowers that are white or yellowish. 'Rubra' and 'Razzleberri' are among several named red flowered forms and tend to bloom earlier than the white form. The red forms are much showier in bloom than the white whose flowers tend to get lost with the effect that the shrub just looks like it has lighter foliage color when in bloom. This plant grows well in organically rich, gritty, acidic soil with good drainage but very adaptable to less than ideal conditions. Loropetalum has few pests and requires no pruning except to maintain desired size. Benefits from fertilizing 2 or 3 times a year. It prefers partial shade. Shifting or high shade is best. It likes moist but well drained soil and is drought tolerant once established. It is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10. |
