Loropetalum

Part shade; better color in sun. Evergreen. Variety rubrum ‘Blush’ or ‘Burgundy’ have been commonly planted as sheared foundation shrubs in new landscapes, admired for their burgundy-and-green foliage and the fuchsia floss-like flowers appearing in autumn (the species normally features white flowers).

Loropetalum prefers moist acidic well-drained locations, and it’s not particularly tolerant of extended drought — meaning it may need a bit of looking after in central Texas for a variety of reasons.

Heavy clay soil may result in loropetalums with sickly chlorotic-looking leaves. To prevent this, it’s not a bad idea to amend them when planting with compost or organic matter.

Allow loropetalum some room and remember that if it matures, it will typically grow to more than 5′ in diameter.