This garden joy may be hard to say ("lor - o - peta - lum"), but it is certainly a delight to grow.  Loropetalum, of the witch hazel family, was discovered in the Hunan province of China.  With its burgundy-coloured foliage and its tassel-like pink flowers in spring, Loropetalum 'China Pink' makes a spectacular gardening statement.  Growing in a tiered manner, so that each layer of fan-shaped branches builds on top of each other, it creates a point of difference in any garden.  Low maintenance, loving a sunny spot and able to handle frosts, it is perfect for Canterbury conditions.  When it is planted in a large pot, its spreading growth, which is wide over the edge of the pot, is impressive.  If it is used in a hedge or as mass plantings in the garden, its foliage colour can be maximised against other plants.   Loropetalum 'China Pink' is available in most local garden centres.

www.thepress.co.nz