Who to Consult About Loropetalum Size

Q: I saw your page online about sizes of loropetalums. I looked up a plant that you said would grow to 6 to 8 feet, but other sources online say it grows anywhere from 8 to 18 feet. There is no consensus on sizes. I’m a semi-professional landscaper, and I can’t make a decision when the sizes given are so different. I have a client who wants a hedge of loropetalums, full sun, drought tolerant, 6 to 8 feet tall. Which one would you recommend? — Jeff B., email

A: In the late ’90s, when the only cultivars widely available were “Ruby,” “Blush” and Purple Diamond (cq), gardeners commonly complained about missed predictions. I planted a new “Zhuzhou Fuchsia” in front of my soon-to-be-wife’s house, assuring her that it would only grow to be 4 feet tall. The fact that I had to use a chainsaw to remove it tells you my story.

Now, 25 years later, the big growers have had enough experience to be pretty sure their predicted heights will come true. This is what I do if I want to know about a particular plant: I go to the websites of the four southeastern Extension Services that I trust (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida) plus the Missouri Botanical Garden (MOBOT) which has a wonderful plant finder (links below). I would probably visit the website of a major grower (Proven Winners, Monrovia, McCorkle Nursery).

From all this information, I draw a conclusion about the size of the plant. I might also run it by a small group of landscaper friends to get their experiences. This way, I get a true picture of the plant. For your situation, I recommend Ever Red loropetalum. I’ve collected links to all the sources referenced above at bit.ly/GAgoodhort.