Ruby Loropetalum Plant – Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum (Chinese Fringe Flower, Live Starter Shrub)

The Ruby Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Ruby’), also known as the Chinese fringe flower, is a striking evergreen shrub that delivers color in every season. Its vibrant ruby-red new growth matures to rich burgundy, and clusters of hot-pink to ruby-red, fringe-like flowers bloom profusely during winter and spring — then reappear periodically throughout the year. That bold collision of deep burgundy foliage and bright pink blooms is exactly why the Ruby Loropetalum stops people in their tracks, even in the middle of winter.

Why Grow a Ruby Loropetalum?

• Year-round color – rich burgundy-red evergreen foliage provides bold landscape contrast in every season.
• Profuse fringe flowers – clusters of vivid hot-pink to ruby-red, strap-like blooms cover the plant in winter and spring, with sporadic reblooming after.
• Pollinator-friendly & deer-resistant – the flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while deer tend to leave it alone.
• Versatile & low-maintenance – perfect as an accent specimen, colorful hedge, foundation planting, or on slopes; drought-tolerant once established.
• Distinctive coloration – few shrubs offer this much foliage and flower color in such an easy-care package.

Want more colorful shrubs? Browse our Shrubs & Bushes and Flowering Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

• Botanical name: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Ruby’ (Chinese fringe flower, Chinese witch hazel)
• Plant type: Colorful, evergreen flowering shrub
• Plant family: Hamamelidaceae (the witch-hazel family)
• Mature size: a moderate grower to about 5–6 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide
• Foliage: Ruby-red new growth maturing to rich burgundy; evergreen
• Flowers: Hot-pink to ruby-red, fringed blooms in winter and spring, with periodic reblooming
• Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; deer-resistant
• Cold Hardiness Zones: 7–10

Ruby Loropetalum Care & Growing Guide

The Ruby Loropetalum is low-maintenance and easy to please. Follow these simple guidelines:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. More sun brings the richest foliage color and the most flowers (a little afternoon shade is welcome in very hot climates).
• Water: Water regularly to establish a strong root system, with more frequent watering in extreme heat. Once mature, it needs only occasional watering and is drought-tolerant. Avoid soggy soil, which can cause root rot.
• Soil: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. In alkaline soil it can develop chlorosis (yellowing leaves), so acidic conditions are best.
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 7–10. In the colder end of its range, plant in a spot protected from harsh winter winds.
• Pruning & mulch: Prune after flowering to maintain a well-groomed shape (avoid pruning right before bloom, since flowers form on older wood). Mulch to retain moisture, deter weeds, and moderate winter temperatures.

Ways to Use Ruby Loropetalum in the Landscape

• Eye-catching accent or specimen shrub
• Colorful hedges and screens
• Foundation plantings and mixed borders
• Mass plantings and slope/bank plantings for erosion control
• Containers and patio pots

Its burgundy foliage pairs beautifully with green-leaved and silver shrubs. Gardeners often combine it with the dense Viburnum Densa, the silvery Texas Sage, or Sinense Ligustrum for striking color and texture contrast.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Ruby Loropetalum starter plants grown and shipped by Carlos Plant Farm. Plants are less than 12 inches tall when we ship them. The photos in this listing depict mature plants of the correct species so you can see how they will look as they grow. Choose your preferred plant bundle size using the options above.

Due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees in order to comply with those laws if necessary.

Terms of the Sale

Please read the following terms of the sale completely. The customer agrees to all of the following when purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm:

• All sales are final. All orders are insured against damage or loss.
• The customer assumes all risk of loss or damage once USPS takes possession. If the order is damaged in any way during shipping, the customer agrees to file an insurance claim. Carlo’s Plant Farm agrees to assist the customer in filling out the form.
• Once your order is shipped, we offer no cancellation refund at all.
• We reserve the right to delay shipping due to extreme heat or cold.
• If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, you agree to contact us as soon as possible. The customer agrees not to publish a negative review before contacting us. If you post a negative review before contacting us, we will ask you to take down the review and remind you of this terms of sale agreement.

In purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm, the customer acknowledges, understands, and agrees with all the above terms of the sale.