Planting - Place your Purple Hopseed Bush in a location that receives 6 hours or more of direct sunlight for the best purple color.  Purple Hopseed Bush can tolerate partial shade but the foliage may become bronzy-green. Light intensity affects the color, give Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ bright, full sun for a vivid purple hue.  

Plant in well-draining soil or add amendments like Gardner & Bloome Organics Planting Mix Premium Garden Soil or Kellogg Garden Organics Gromulch 2-in-1 Planting Mix & Mulch to your soil to improve drainage. Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ also grows well in coastal conditions. 

Watering - Water regularly during the first year to assist the plant in establishing a strong root system. Reduce frequency and water deeply as needed. Fertilize in spring with Gardner & Bloome Organics All Purpose 4-4-4 Fertilizer when new growth begins.

Pruning - Purple Hopseed Bush is naturally upright when young, then spreads out with age and becomes more rounded and shrubby. The dense foliage responds well to shearing during the growing season and can also be trained into a hedge or a small tree. Prune annually to shape or maintain a tidy bushy appearance. Prune in fall or winter if a more aggressive pruning for structure is needed.

Purple Hopseed Bush – Spacing Guide

When planting Purple Hopseed (Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea') for either a formal hedge or an informal hedge, spacing will depend on the desired effect and container size. Below are the recommended spacing options, along with the number of shrubs needed for 20 linear feet.

Instant Formal Hedge Spacing

For immediate, dense coverage, creating a full look upon planting. Use the following spacing recommendations based on container size:

Informal Hedge Spacing

For a more relaxed and natural look, consider the following spacing recommendations:

On-Center Spacing

On-center spacing is measured from the center of one plant to the center of the next plant. This method ensures even distribution and helps achieve a uniform hedge.