Leptodermis Species, Chinese Leptodermis

On Jan 18, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

This is an attractive shrub, though it's a member of the chorus rather than a leading lady. The flowers are pretty, and bloom in frequent flushes from June till frost. The first flush is profuse and showy. After that, the flowers are attractive from a few yards away but don't read well from greater distances. The fragrance reminds me of Korean lilac or privet, but I can't detect it unless I sniff the flowers.

There was some dieback in the first year, but not much once it was established. I find that cutting it back in early winter helps it branch and grow more densely and prevents snow damage. I too have found it to spread slowly by suckering, but it's not aggressive.

It's late to leaf out in spring, so don't be hasty to cut back what you think might be dead. ... read moreThe foliage is healthy and fine textured. No fall color.

I've grown this in part shade for five years now, in Boston (Z6a). In time it can get much taller than indicated above. Mine are 3-4 feet tall by the end of the season and would be taller if I didn't repeatedly cut them back.

On Jul 7, 2011, rkwright85 from Horton, MI (Zone 5b) wrote:

I have seen some of these that looked pretty nice and bloomed through most of the summer. The fragrance isn't strong and only noticeable if you're close to the plant or have several of them planted together. I planted one last year and it has yet to bloom in full sun. It's not a bad plant in bloom but otherwise it's nothing special.

On Jul 31, 2010, 45eriepa from Lexington, MA wrote:

It's taken several years for the plant to have an impact, and indeed the impact is fairly modest, but the flowers are held densely enough and in great enough numbers to be quite effective. In any case, it serves the important function of a small, easily controlled shrub that harmonizes well.
I also found this year that it sends out offsets, which have been potted up.

On Jun 11, 2006, lottathyme from Scottsville, NY wrote:

Tried this because it was billed as blooming all summer and having fragrance. Has only been in less than a year; did bloom a long time, although it seemed to pause in heat. Now that it is established, maybe it won't do that. However, I could detect no fragrance at all.

It makes a nice, small, neat globe. Definitely not showy; flowers are maybe 1/2" and a pastel purple. Was quite late to leaf out this spring, to the point where I thought I'd lost it. Once it budded, though, it was in full leaf in maybe a week.

If you are looking for showiness, this is not the plant. I was disappointed in the lack of fragrance. Maybe in its second year it will develop that? We can hope.