Loropetalum chinense 'Carolina Midnight'

shrub

Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower

Loropetalum chinense 'Carolina Midnight'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

144 inches

Width

84 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived shrub

Native To

China, Japan

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Loropetalum chinense, or Chinese fringe flower, is an evergreen shrub in the witch hazel family, known for its delicate, strap-like flowers and often colorful foliage. 'Carolina Midnight' is distinguished by its intensely dark, black-purple foliage that holds its color all year, even in summer heat. It produces vibrant fuchsia-pink flowers in late winter and spring.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Offers stunning, year-round color with its deep purple foliage, which provides a dramatic backdrop for other plants. The explosion of bright fuchsia flowers in late winter is a welcome sight and signals the start of spring.

Its dense, evergreen nature and large size make it an excellent choice for creating privacy hedges and screens. It can also be pruned into a small, multi-stemmed tree form for use as a specimen.

The early-season flowers provide a valuable nectar source for pollinators emerging from winter dormancy, such as bees.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a location with full sun to light shade.
Ensure the soil is well-drained and acidic.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Plant at the same depth as it was in the container.
Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.
Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Pro Tip

Provide full sun for the deepest, richest foliage color; plants in more shade may appear greener.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in acidic, well-drained soil.
Provide supplemental water during extended droughts.
Prune after flowering to maintain desired size and shape.
Give it full sun for the best foliage color.

Don't

Do not plant in heavy, waterlogged soil.
Avoid planting in alkaline (high pH) soils.
Do not prune heavily late in the season.
Avoid letting the plant dry out completely in its first year.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Dramatic dark-leaved hedgeYear-round color specimenContrast plant in mixed borders

Companion Plants

Abelia 'Kaleidoscope' Gardenia 'Frostproof' Camellia sasanqua Agapanthus Liriope muscari 'Variegata'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower questions

What zones can Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower grow in?

Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower is hardy in USDA Zones 7–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower deer resistant?

Yes — Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower bloom?

Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower typically blooms in late winter through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower need full sun?

Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Carolina Midnight Fringe Flower handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.