•    Scientific name: Loropetalum chinense
    •    Popular Names: Loropetalo, Amamélis, Hamamelis
    •    Family: Hamamelidaceae
    •    Category: Shrubs, Hedges
    •    Climate: Mediterranean, Subtropical, Temperate
    •    Origin: Asia, China, Himalayas, Japan
    •    Height: 1.2 to 1.8 meters
    •    Luminosity: Partial Shade, Full Sun
    •    Life cycle: perennial
 
Description
Amamélis is an evergreen shrub originating in the East and known for its foliage and flowering quite decorative. It has erect and branched stems, with very open and not very dense branches. The leaves are oval, alternate, pubescent, with short petioles, with well-marked veins and can be green or tan, depending on the variety and time of year. The inflorescences appear in spring and are characterized by small clusters of flowers with narrow, ribbon-like petals that are slightly curved. These small, showy clusters look like a spider, and can be pink, white, or red in color.
With an informal and graceful appearance, the loropetalo is a good choice for mountain gardens. It does not need pruning, but can be pruned to renew the foliage and obtain a more compact form. It can also be grown as a small tree with a single stem. Loropetal lends itself to planting alone or in groups, being excellent for hedges and borders. Without pruning, it can reach up to 4 meters in height. There are many loropetal cultivars, many of which can also be grown in pots.
 
Cultivation
It should be grown in full sun, in fertile, slightly acidic soil, enriched with organic matter and irrigated periodically. It likes a mild climate and tolerates moderate cold. The loropetal is a very rustic shrub, and also, when well established, it tolerates the heat and the not very prolonged drought. Formation and renewal pruning should be carried out after flowering.