The Chinese Fringe Flower, Loropetalum chinense, is an appealing evergreen shrub that provides year-round color. The ‘Cherry Blast’ cultivar is one of the most sought-after varieties, prized for its vivid aesthetic features and relatively compact growth habit. This plant offers striking contrast in the landscape through its intense foliage and early-season blooms. Understanding the specific needs of this cultivar, from its ideal placement to its care regimen, is the first step toward successful cultivation.
Defining the Cherry Blast Cultivar
The ‘Cherry Blast’ cultivar (Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum ‘Cherry Blast’) is distinguished by its particularly vibrant color saturation, setting it apart from older varieties like ‘Ruby’ or ‘Plum Delight’. The foliage maintains a deep burgundy or purplish-red hue throughout the year, which remains robust even in intense summer sun. Its flowers appear in a striking flush of vivid, cherry-red or shocking pink from late winter to early spring, offering a dramatic display before most other shrubs begin to bloom.
This variety exhibits a dense, compact, and uniform growth habit, maturing into a rounded shape. ‘Cherry Blast’ typically reaches a manageable size of 5 to 6 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, making it suitable for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or use as a hedge. The relatively fine texture of its oval leaves and its controlled size make it an excellent choice for landscape applications.
Optimal Growing Conditions
Establishing a healthy ‘Cherry Blast’ plant begins with careful site selection, particularly regarding sun exposure and soil chemistry. The shrub performs best when planted in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily to ensure the deepest burgundy foliage color. In warmer climates (like USDA Zones 8 and 9), providing filtered afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch and maintain leaf vibrancy during the hottest months.
The plant is generally hardy in USDA Zones 7 through 9, tolerating temperatures down to 0°F, though winter mulching is advised at the colder end of this range. Loropetalum thrives in rich, loamy, and well-draining soil that is slightly acidic. An ideal soil pH range is between 5.0 and 6.5; alkaline soil (pH above 7.0) can induce chlorosis, resulting in the yellowing of the leaves due to an inability to absorb iron. When planting, the hole should be dug two to three times wider than the root ball, ensuring the top of the root ball remains level with the surrounding soil grade. Amending heavy clay soil with organic matter, such as compost or pine bark fines, is advisable to improve drainage and prevent root rot.
Essential Maintenance and Care
Proper watering is important for the establishment of ‘Cherry Blast’, especially during the first growing season. Newly planted shrubs should receive deep watering regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, which usually translates to about one inch of water per week. Once established, the plant becomes more drought-tolerant, but deep watering during extended dry periods will support its health.
Fertilization should be managed carefully to support the plant’s acidic soil preference and avoid excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms. A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for acid-loving shrubs should be applied once in early spring and possibly again in early fall. Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic mulch, such as pine straw or shredded bark, around the base helps conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Pruning should be performed immediately after the main flush of bloom in late winter or early spring, as the plant flowers on old wood set the previous season. Light, annual shaping can be done to maintain the shrub’s naturally rounded form. When reducing size, selective thinning cuts to a lateral branch are preferred over shearing, which can reduce air circulation.
Addressing Common Problems
While ‘Cherry Blast’ is a robust shrub, a few specific issues may arise. The most common pests are sap-sucking insects like aphids, spider mites, and scale insects, which tend to congregate on new growth. Minor infestations can often be controlled with a strong stream of water from a hose, while persistent issues may require treatment with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, targeting the undersides of the leaves.
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew and anthracnose can appear, particularly in conditions of poor air circulation or high humidity. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on the leaves, while anthracnose causes dark, sunken lesions. Avoiding overhead watering and ensuring the plant is not overcrowded minimizes disease risk. Chlorosis, where leaves turn yellow while the veins remain green, indicates a nutrient deficiency caused by alkaline soil; this can be remedied by applying soil acidifiers like elemental sulfur.