CHINESE FRINGE FLOWER
Native to Eastern Asia
Scientific name: Loropetalum Chinense
Variety: ‘Rubrum’ Sizzling Pink
Family: Hamamelidaceae (witch-hazel)
The plant's common name and genus name refer to its unique, strap-like petals that give the flowers a "fringed" appearance.
The white-flowered, green-leaved species was brought to Europe in the 1880s and introduced to the U.S. in 1908, but it initially received little attention.
The plant's popularity exploded after the 1980s with the introduction of pink-flowering varieties.
Eating Redbud Pods
Redbud pods have a sharply tart or sour flavor, very much like underripe green apples. On some trees, the taste is so intense it puckers my mouth.
How to Prepare Redbud Flowers:
Pick the flowers early in the morning. Make sure you are not picking from an area that has been treated with chemicals.
Wash gently with cold water. Let drip dry.
Store in refrigerator until you plan to use.
The flowers will last in a storage container for a couple of days. So pretty!
“Sizzling Pink’ Flowers and other pink varieties began the boom of interest for the Chinese fringe flower in private landscapes in the US.
Although not edible the leaves make a Rebbud easy to spot!
Depending on the variety the leaves turn a Fall color often includes attractive shades of reddish purple to orange or bright yellow.
