Step Into Our Garden – Favorite Shrubs for Spring

Each year Morrison Lawn & Landscape would like to tell you about one of our favorite showstoppers that thrive in the Gastonia, NC area. When choosing a shrub, it is a good idea to think about a few key components:

Sun requirements. There are shade loving shrubs, sun loving shrubs, and those in between. To encourage the shrub’s survival, make sure you know the sun or shade hours of the area you are planting.

Deciduous or evergreen. “Deciduous” means it will lose its leaves, and “evergreen” means it will keep foliage all year. Our blog post today will feature an evergreen shrub with a spring interest of beautiful fringe flowers.

Height requirements. There are shrubs that will grow tall quickly as serve as a privacy hedge, those shrubs that maintain a dwarf height and spread, and those in between. To make the selection that best fits your landscape, make sure you know what the projected growth pattern for the shrub is 10 years from now.

LOROPETALUM CHINENSIS ‘PURPLE PIXIE’

LOROPETALUM SHRUB GASTONIA NCOur blog today will feature an evergreen shrub with beautiful pink fringe flowers. Loropetalum shrubs, also known as the Chinese fringe flower, are often seen in landscapes as large shrubs. ‘Purple Pixie’ is a relatively new variety with a dwarf size and weeping habit that makes it unique. This low profile shrub has showy pink flowers that resemble ribbons or fringe in spring, but the deep burgundy foliages gives it year-round interest. It matures to 2 feet tall and spreads 4 to 5 feet wide.

We like to install ‘Purple Pixie’ loropetalum as a foundation shrub. Its dark burgundy leaves are vibrant when paired with a background of taller, dark green shrubs such as otto luyken laurel. It also makes an excellent choice as a container plant with its cascading foliage.

GENERAL CARE AND GROWING TIPS

LOROPETALUM SHRUB GASTONIA NC‘Purple Pixie’ loropetalum debuted 7 years ago, so it is readily available at our local nurseries and garden centers. This shrub grows best if planted in a spot that receives full sun or light shade, and well-drained soil. Once established, it will be tolerant to the heat and drought of our North Carolina summers. ‘Purple Pixie’ grows quickly and needs little pruning. Prune to shape as needed after blooming. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as needed.

 

Morrison Lawn and Landscape can help you to update your existing landscape design. Do you have overgrown shrubs? Diseased plants? An outdated look? If you have interest for us to visit your Gastonia, NC property for a free consultation for lawn service and landscaping needs, contact us today at (704) 813-2545. Click here to contact us via email.