The Ruby Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Ruby’) is also known as the Chinese fringe flower. It is a striking evergreen shrub that delivers color in every season. Its vivid ruby-red new growth matures to rich burgundy, while clusters of hot-pink to ruby-red, fringe-like flowers bloom profusely during winter and spring, then reappear periodically through the year. As a result, 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 – also perfect as an accent specimen, colorful hedge, foundation planting, or on slopes, and 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. Generally, more sun brings the richest foliage color and the most flowers, though 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. However, 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. At 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, and avoid pruning right before bloom, since flowers form on older wood. In addition, mulch to retain moisture, deter weeds, and moderate winter temperatures.

Ways to Use Ruby Loropetalum in the Landscape

This bold-colored shrub fits beds, borders, and slopes alike. Popular uses for the Ruby Loropetalum include:

Eye-catching accent or specimen shrub
Also colorful hedges and screens
Foundation plantings and mixed borders
Similarly, mass plantings and slope or bank plantings for erosion control
Containers and patio pots

Its burgundy foliage pairs beautifully with green-leaved and silver shrubs. For example, 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 Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Ruby Loropetalum FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is Ruby Loropetalum?

It is a striking evergreen shrub, Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum Ruby, also called Chinese fringe flower. Notably, it pairs rich burgundy foliage with bright pink, fringe-like blooms, so it delivers color in every season.

When does Ruby Loropetalum bloom?

It blooms most heavily in winter and spring, then reblooms periodically through the year. In fact, the clusters of hot-pink to ruby-red, strap-like flowers can appear even in the middle of winter.

How big does Ruby Loropetalum get?

It is a moderate grower, reaching about 5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. However, regular pruning easily keeps it smaller as a colorful hedge or foundation plant.

How much sun does Ruby Loropetalum need?

It grows in full sun to partial shade. Generally, more sun brings the richest foliage color and the most flowers, though a little afternoon shade helps in very hot climates.

How far apart should I plant Ruby Loropetalum for a hedge?

For a colorful hedge, space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart. That spacing lets the shrubs fill in while still growing together into a continuous band of color.

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions

How often should I water Ruby Loropetalum?

Water regularly while it establishes, and more often in extreme heat. Once mature, it is drought-tolerant and needs only occasional watering. Importantly, avoid soggy soil, because it can cause root rot.

What growing zones is Ruby Loropetalum suited for?

It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 7 to 10. However, at the colder end of its range, plant it in a spot protected from harsh winter winds.

Why are the leaves yellowing on my Loropetalum?

Usually it is chlorosis from alkaline soil. Because this shrub prefers acidic conditions, rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil keeps the foliage its deepest burgundy.

How and when should I prune Ruby Loropetalum?

Prune right after flowering to keep a well-groomed shape. However, avoid pruning just before bloom, since the flowers form on older wood. Also, mulch to retain moisture and moderate winter temperatures.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Ruby Loropetalum starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. So you can see how yours will look as they grow. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

Ruby Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense rubrum) with burgundy foliage and pink fringe flowers

Ruby Loropetalum Chinese fringe flower evergreen shrub with hot-pink blooms

Click to enlarge

Ruby Loropetalum burgundy-red foliage close-up

Ruby Loropetalum used as a colorful accent shrub in a landscape

Close-up of Ruby Loropetalum ruby-red fringed flowers

Carlos Plant Farm

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

Price range: $33.79 through $178.32

Add bold, year-round color with a live Ruby Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Ruby’), also known as Chinese fringe flower. This evergreen shrub pairs rich burgundy-red foliage with clusters of vivid hot-pink, fringe-like flowers that bloom heavily in winter and spring and rebloom throughout the year. Drought-tolerant once established, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, it shines as an accent, hedge, or foundation plant. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. Cold hardy in USDA zones 7–10.

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