Chinese Fringe Bush, Loropetalum, Razzleberry (purplish cultivar)

Loropetalum chinense Oliver

lore-oh-PET-ah-lum chi-NEN-see

Hamamelidaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek for strap and petal.  The specific epithet means Chinese.

Natural range: Asia

Recognition: Densely branched shrubs having alternate leaves in two rows, the twigs pink, hairy.  Flowers in bunches along stem, with four long petals of variable color (white to purplish).  Monoecious.

Landscape uses: At home in more temperate latitudes. Spring-flowering shrub useful for mass plantings.  Flowers may be colorful but not large.  ‘Razzelberi’ (Razzleberry) has pinkish flowers and purplish leaves.  ‘Pizzazz’ has purple foliage and purple flowers.