Loropetalum Purple, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Burgundy leaves and pink fringe flowers in spring make purple loropetalum a dramatic accent shrub, but in Southwest Florida it sits at the warm edge of its range. It does best with morning sun, afternoon shade, good drainage and slightly acidic soil, and it often struggles in alkaline, shelly, soggy or baking spots.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade helps in our heat, and leaf color is deepest with some sun
- Water:
- Moderate; regular water while young, and good drainage
- Salt:
- Low to moderate; not for direct salt spray
Loropetalum Purple sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Loropetalum Purple | 3 Gallon |
Loropetalum Purple in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 4 to 8 ft tall and wide, depending on the cultivar and pruning
- Light
- Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade helps in our heat, and leaf color is deepest with some sun
- Water
- Moderate; regular water while young, and good drainage
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate; not for direct salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Very cold hardy; SW Florida cold does not bother it
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 4 to 5 ft on center for a hedge
- Florida native
- No, native to Asia
- Botanical name
- Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum
Where Loropetalum Purple works in a SW Florida yard
Use purple loropetalum as a color accent where its burgundy leaves can contrast with green, such as beside a walkway, at a bed corner or in front of a light-colored wall. Place it where it gets morning sun and afternoon shade, away from hot driveways and reflective walls.
Pair it with liriope, dwarf ixora and society garlic, and avoid tight, wet beds.
- Burgundy foliage accent
- Informal flowering hedge
- Foundation bed color
- Contrast with green shrubs
How our crew plants it
Drainage comes first. We plant at the same depth as the pot, with the top of the root ball slightly above grade so water drains away, in a hole twice as wide.
Space plants 4 to 5 ft apart, water in, and mulch two inches deep, keeping mulch off the stems. New plants get extra watering under Lee and Collier rules.
Care after planting
- If new leaves turn yellow with green veins, that is iron or manganese deficiency from our alkaline soil, and a chelated iron or micronutrient feed usually corrects it.
- Prune right after the spring bloom to shape the shrub, and avoid shearing it hard, which spoils the natural arching form.
- Feed in March and October with a slow-release fertilizer that includes micronutrients, and skip June 1 to September 30 in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island.
- Water regularly during the first year and in long dry spells, and avoid keeping the bed soggy.
What to watch for
- Yellowing between the veins, spider mites in dry heat and root rot in wet, poorly drained beds are the usual reasons loropetalum declines here.
Loropetalum Purple questions we hear
Does loropetalum grow well in Southwest Florida?+
It grows, but it is at the warm edge of its range, so site it carefully. It does best with morning sun, afternoon shade, good drainage and slightly acidic soil. In our alkaline, shelly soils it can show iron deficiency, and in baking or soggy spots it may decline. A micronutrient feed helps.
Why is my purple loropetalum turning green?+
Too much shade is the usual cause, since the burgundy color is strongest in good light. Summer heat can also fade leaves toward bronze or green, and the newest growth shows the deepest color. Open up shade where you can, and a light trim pushes fresh, darker leaves.
How far apart should I plant loropetalum for a hedge?+
Plant purple loropetalum 4 to 5 ft apart, center to center, for a loose hedge that closes in a couple of seasons. Larger cultivars can reach 8 ft, so allow more room for them. Prune lightly after the spring bloom instead of shearing to keep the natural, arching shape.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Loropetalum Purple
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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