Loropetalum chinense Carolina Moonlight

The Loropetalum chinense 'Carolina Moonlight' is one of the most unique varieties of the species with its very light foliage and flowering! Its evergreen, light, elliptical, olive-green foliage is very bright and produces almost golden shoots in spring. Its curiously tapered petal flowering is cream-white, unlike other cultivars, which brings light to the shadier corners of the garden. It easily reblooms as the weather warms up in late summer. This bush has a nice spread habit with dense, flexible, and arched branches at their tips, as ornamental when isolated as when planted in mass. It is a specially compact and extremely versatile selection that is easy to grow in a pot, remaining full and easy to maintain. It is moderately hardy and requires a sheltered location from cold winds, in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained, moist, neutral to acidic, and preferably fertile soil. Avoid exposing it to scorching conditions.

The Loropetalum chinense, or Chinese Fringe Flower, is a bush of the Hamamelidaceae family, as evidenced by its 4 long ribbon-like petals that resemble those of Hamamelis. It is native to the forests and copses of the Himalayas, China, and the northern and eastern regions of India, where it grows up to an altitude of 1200m (3937 ft).

'Carolina's Moonlight' is a recent cultivar derived from this bush and obtained by the Caroliniana Nurseries. It has a bushy and spread habit carried by slightly arched branches. It reaches a height of about 1.20m (3 ft 11 in) and a spread of 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) at maturity. It develops evergreen foliage. The leaves, entire and ovate in shape, measuring 2 to 5cm (0.8 to 2 in) in length, are acidic green when they first emerge, then they turn olive-green before gradually becoming dark green in winter. The abundant, honey-scented and nectar-rich flowering occurs from February to April, earlier or later depending on the climate. It lasts about 2 weeks and repeats several times in this variety, even in summer or late summer, more sporadically. The flowers are grouped in 3 to 6 at the axils of the leaves, along the branches. They consist of 4 slightly twisted, cream-white petal strips and are slightly fragrant.

Loropetalums are trendy; beautifully coloured, well-suited for pot culture, compact, they appeal to urban gardeners as well as lovers of English gardens. They stand out in spring scenes, beautifully coloured when the garden is still very little in bloom. Their honey-scented flowers are also a good source of nectar for bees early in the season. While it is relatively hardy once well established, young plants can suffer from temperatures below -6/-7°C, so they should be protected from heavy frosts. You can grow them in pots in cold regions, in a non-calcareous but fertile soil, and store them in winter. They can be used in a free hedge or within a mass of acid-loving shrubs with staggered flowering: camellias, heathers, witch hazels, azaleas and rhododendrons, andromedas and hydrangeas for example.