Loropetalum chinense
Jazz Hands® Pink Loropetalum
Southern China, Japan, and the eastern Himalayas
Overview
Loropetalum chinense 'Jazz Hands Pink' is an evergreen shrub forming a compact horizontally branching mound 36-60 inches (90-150 cm) tall and 30-48 inches (75-120 cm) wide. The branches are layered and slightly arching, producing a tiered silhouette. Ovate to elliptic leaves 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long are dark plum-purple with a metallic sheen, holding color through the growing season; new growth emerges burgundy-red. Foliage purpling deepens in cool weather; leaves shift toward bronze-green in heavy shade. Fringed flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across emerge bright pink in clusters of 3-6 from late February through April in zones 8-9, with sporadic rebloom in late summer and fall. Each flower opens with 4-6 strap-shaped petals. The species type L. chinense reaches 6-15 feet (1.8-4.6 m); the 'Jazz Hands Pink' selection is a semi-dwarf form 36-60 inches (90-150 cm) tall. Foliage is damaged below 5°F (-15°C); plants regrow from the base after cold dieback. Iron chlorosis develops in alkaline soils above pH 7.5.
Native Range
The species Loropetalum chinense is native to southern China, Japan, and the eastern Himalayas of Bhutan and northeastern India, where it grows as understory in mixed broadleaf forests at 600-4,000 feet (180-1,220 m) elevation. The 'Jazz Hands Pink' selection was bred from L. chinense var. rubrum and is propagated only by cutting.Suggested Uses
Used as a foundation shrub, mixed border accent, or low hedge at 36-48 inch (90-120 cm) spacing in zones 7-9. Grown in containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L) on patios where spring bloom and dark foliage can be viewed close-up. Suited to slope plantings as a horizontally tiered ground-level mass.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread2'6" - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Bright pink fringed flowers 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) across appear in clusters of 3-6 from late February through April in zones 8-9, and from late March into May in zones 6-7. Bloom persists 4-6 weeks at peak. Sporadic rebloom occurs in late summer through fall, particularly after a flush of new growth following pruning. Flowers are lightly fragrant and draw bees and small butterflies during peak bloom.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark plum-purple with metallic sheen, deeper in cool weatherGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water deeply weekly during the first growing season; established plants tolerate 2-3 weeks without rain in zones 7-9. Apply acidifying fertilizer formulated for azaleas and rhododendrons once in early spring; alkaline soils above pH 7.5 cause iron chlorosis with yellow interveinal foliage. Mulch with 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of pine fines or hardwood mulch to maintain soil acidity and even moisture. Loropetalum spp. root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) develops in poorly drained sites; raised beds and amended sandy loam reduce risk. Cool spring temperatures intensify foliage purpling; summer heat above 95°F (35°C) shifts color toward bronze-green. Plants tolerate hard renewal pruning and recover within one growing season.Pruning
Light shaping cuts can be made just after the spring flowering flush; pruning before bloom removes that year's flower buds. Hard renewal pruning to 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) above ground in late winter regenerates a fuller form on overgrown plants. Summer pruning removes the next year's flower buds and reduces the following spring's bloom. Stem cuttings root in 21-30 days in summer at 75°F (24°C).Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons