Chris Schema · Gardenality Genius · Zone 8B · 15° to 20° F · Comment About Pruning
Loropetalum is a fast-growing shrub that takes very well to pruning. It can be sheared into a formal hedge or trained flat against a wall. You can cut it back as far as needed. Wait to trim it until after it finishes blooming in spring.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
Plant Ever Red Sunset Loropetalum in a location that provides well-drained soil and full, all-day sun to part shade. This is a hardy shrub that is useful in foundation plantings, as a mid-size natural or formal hedge, or in groups in landscape beds and flowering shrub borders. Can also be useful as a tree-form specimen or focal point.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Feeding
Fertilize loropetalum in spring, after they bloom, with a well-balanced shrub fertilizer or plant food.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Problems
I've seen no pest or disease problems with Ever Red Sunset Loropetalum. This plant doesn't like consistently wet soil.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F · Comment About Planting
To plant Ever Red Sunset Loropetalum, dig a hole no deeper than the root ball and two to three times the width of the root ball and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed, perhaps by establishing a raised bed. Turn and break up the soil removed from the planting hole. If the native soil is dense, compacted or heavy clay mix in a good organic compost or soil amendment at a 50/50 ratio with the soil removed from the hole. Remove your plant from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you've prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is slightly above the soil level. Pull your backfill soil mixture around the root ball in the hole, tamping as you go to remove air pockets. Then water thoroughly and cover with a one to two-inch layer of mulch.

Brent Wilson · Gardenality Administrator · Zone 8A · 10° to 15° F
Ever Red Sunset is the first loropetalum I know of that has true red flowers.