Loropetalum chinense f. rubrum Carolina Midnight is an evergreen upright shrub that stands out with glossy, dark burgundy leaves that contrast with fuchsia-colored flowers in spring. Can be maintained as a formal hedge or trained into a small tree. Can also be used as a privacy screen or background shrub in the shrub border. Plant in acidic to neutral, well drained soil. Water to establish and then this shrub is drought tolerant. Mulch plants to maintain consistent moisture and to control weeds. Prune after spring flowering to shape and maintain desired size. Fertilize in early spring before blooming. This Loropetalum has year-round dense very dark burgundy-purple rounded foliage that provides a great platform for the spring blooms to really pop. New foliage when it first begins to emerge will have a reddish-maroon color before darkening. With some of the darkest foliage you’ll encounter in the genus Loropetalum , Carolina Midnight is a great new introduction that will add some purple punch to the garden. The flowers are like dark fuchsia fireworks in a sky of purple.