Re: Q
- Subject: Re: Q
- From: J* M*
- Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 13:07:00 -0700
Nan Sterman wrote:
> Can anyone recommend a good website for finding plants based on
> attributes? I am looking for a bronze/purple leaved shrub that will
> work in my climate and most search engines are based on plant name or
> flower color attributes rather than leaf color attributes.
Nan,
I can't recommend a site, but here are some of my favorite purple-leaved
shrubs:
Loropetalum chinense 'Plum Delight'. 4-6 ft high, 6-8 ft wide (or larger in
both dimensions) with hot rose-pink flowers in early spring. Evergreen.
(This form has been given different names by various nurseries, but steer
clear of L. c. 'Razzleberry', which starts out with purple leaves that soon
fade to the color of brown paper bags).
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'. Eventually 12-15 feet high or more, half
as wide, but slow growing. Deciduous.
Cordyline australis 'Red Star'. Eventually to 25 ft, but upright and
narrow. Forms trunk with head like a large yucca, with deep wine-red
leaves.
I would also venture to guess that you can grow a Euphorbia cotinifolia
'Atropurpurea', but you may have to protect it for the first few winters
until it put on some good-sized wood. Eventually a shrub 8-10 ft tall and
wide, and it can make a small tree in mild climates. Deciduous (for you).
The foliage color is really a very dark orange-red rather than purple.
> Thanks for the suggestions John. Actually, it was the Hall garden
> that got me thinking about the purple foliage. Wasn't there a small
> shrub (3' or so) with purple leaves that are smaller and more
> delicate than the Loropetalum? Maybe about 1/2 inch and ovate?
Actually, I forgot to include another of my favorites: Berberis thungergill
'Rosy Glow'. 2-3 ft high, 3-4 ft. wide, with spreading habit. Coppery
maroon, new leaves mottled with rose. Deciduous for a long time in winter.
Excellent container plant, combined with a low, evergreen ground cover.
> I just downloaded the photos I took last week at Judge
> Hall's home. I still cannot get over the way you have planted that
> garden, just incredible!
>
> Regarding the loropetalum -- is there a dwarf variety?
Not that I know of, but I keep the one at Cynthia's to 3-4 feet high and
wide by constant snipping.
John MacGregor
South Pasadena, CA 91030
USDA zone 9 Sunset zones 21/23
