The Vibrant Evergreen Shrub Perfect For Small Gardens That Makes A Great Privacy Hedge

Although many gardeners stick to planting trees and shrubs in the spring, there are several varieties of vegetation that can be planted late into the fall. In some cases, this dormant planting method actually helps plants avoid transplant shock. If you're in zones 7 to 10, you may be able to continue planting throughout December as long as the ground is still soft. If you're looking to add some color to your landscape in these climate zones, consider the Purple Daydream Dwarf Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense), which is part of the Southern Living Plant Collection. This vibrant evergreen shrub is perfect for small gardens and is one of the best plants to consider when adding privacy to your yard.

You may already be familiar with other cultivars of loropetalum, as the plants in this popular genus are common in southern landscapes. Unlike its larger relatives, which can grow to 6 feet tall and sometimes get out of control, this dwarf cultivar maxes out at about 2 to 3 feet tall and only gets about 3 to 4 feet wide.

Hardy in Zones 7a to 10b, you can add this plant to your Walmart shopping list right now for only $22.46 for a 2-gallon grower pot. As purple evergreens, Purple Daydream plants provide interesting year-round foliage with bright pink flowers in the spring. With their compact size, these evergreen shrubs brighten up your yard throughout the entire year and even make excellent container garden plants.

If you're looking for deer-resistant shrubs to landscape your yard, look no further than the Purple Daydream dwarf loropetalum. This plant is extremely pest-resistant, so you won't have to worry about rabbits or deer. However, that's just one of several reasons to consider adding this loropetalum cultivar to your plant wish list. With its slow growth, it won't take over your yard like its larger cousins will, but it adds the perfect color accent when used in mass plantings, hedges, foundation beds, and container gardens.

If you're considering this as a privacy hedge plant, be aware that it is packed with evergreen foliage, but it doesn't get very tall. So, while it makes a good short hedge or border, it must be paired with taller plants or used in just the right location (such as on top of a retaining wall) to create a tall privacy hedge.

Purple Daydream is low-maintenance, and as long as you have rich, well-draining soil so its feet don't stay wet, it will thrive with minimal care. There's no pruning required, although you can clip the flowers off after blooming occurs in the spring. Avoid planting this in the fall in Zone 7, which is at the cooler end of the climate range for this plant, as it can be susceptible to winter damage in its first year. It needs full sun (at least six hours per day) for the best color.