Distylium, a versatile and hardy shrub, is rapidly gaining popularity among gardeners and landscapers alike. Known for its evergreen foliage, low-maintenance needs, and year-round interest, Distylium varieties make an excellent addition to any garden or landscape. While not as well-known as other ornamentals, Distylium is celebrated for its ability to adapt to various conditions, tolerate drought, and even resist pests and diseases.
We’ll explore the various types of Distylium, their unique characteristics, growth habits, and how to best utilize them in your landscape.
What is Distylium?
Distylium is a genus within the Hamamelidaceae family, making it a relative of the more widely recognized witch hazel. Originally native to Asia, particularly China and Japan, Distylium has been cultivated and bred to thrive in diverse climates. This shrub is evergreen, meaning it keeps its foliage throughout the year, providing year-round color and texture in gardens.
Distylium is known for:
- Dense, lush foliage that varies in shades of green, blue-green, and even hints of burgundy.
- Unique flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring, offering a subtle pop of color.
- Adaptability, including drought tolerance and pest resistance.
Let’s dive into the specific Distylium varieties that have captured the hearts of gardeners and how they can be incorporated into your outdoor spaces.
Popular Distylium Varieties
1. Distylium ‘Vintage Jade’
‘Vintage Jade’ is one of the most popular Distylium varieties for its compact, low-growing form. Its dense, jade-green foliage makes it a great choice for groundcover or low hedges. It typically reaches a height of 2-3 feet and spreads up to 4-5 feet, creating a lush carpet of green in any garden.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 2-3 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Foliage: Deep green, leathery leaves with a slight sheen
- Flowering: Small, reddish-brown flowers in late winter
Best Uses: ‘Vintage Jade’ is perfect for low borders, foundation plantings, or filling in gaps as a groundcover. Its dense growth and evergreen nature make it ideal for providing year-round structure to gardens.
2. Distylium ‘Blue Cascade’
True to its name, ‘Blue Cascade’ offers distinctive blue-green foliage that cascades gracefully, creating an elegant and slightly more textured appearance. It’s an excellent choice for adding a cooler color palette to the garden, which can create contrast against warmer-toned plants.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 3-4 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Foliage: Blue-green with a slightly weeping form
- Flowering: Reddish-maroon flowers bloom in late winter
Best Uses: ‘Blue Cascade’ can be used as a foundation plant, in mass plantings, or as a specimen plant in mixed borders. The cascading growth habit also makes it suitable for planting on slopes or retaining walls where the foliage can drape downward.
3. Distylium ‘Cinnamon Girl’
‘Cinnamon Girl’ is known for its unique foliage that changes color with the seasons. New growth starts out as a soft purple-red and matures to a rich green, providing year-round interest and color variation. This variety is a bit smaller and more compact than others, making it ideal for smaller spaces or container gardening.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 2-3 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Foliage: Purple-red new growth that matures to green
- Flowering: Small, dark red flowers in early spring
Best Uses: Use ‘Cinnamon Girl’ in smaller gardens, containers, or as an accent plant. Its vibrant new growth is eye-catching, and its compact nature makes it a good choice for areas where space is limited.
4. Distylium ‘Emerald Heights’
‘Emerald Heights’ is known for its upright, mounding growth habit and vibrant, glossy green foliage. This variety grows a bit taller than other types, reaching heights of 5-6 feet, making it suitable for use as a natural hedge or privacy screen. It has a rounded, compact growth form that requires minimal maintenance.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 5-6 feet tall, 5-6 feet wide
- Foliage: Glossy green with a dense, rounded habit
- Flowering: Reddish-purple flowers bloom in late winter
Best Uses: ‘Emerald Heights’ is ideal for creating natural hedges, privacy screens, or as a background plant in larger garden beds. Its size makes it a great option for adding height and structure to the landscape without the need for frequent pruning.
5. Distylium ‘Linebacker’
‘Linebacker’ is one of the tallest Distylium varieties available, reaching up to 8 feet in height. It’s perfect for adding height and privacy to a garden, with an upright, vase-shaped growth habit. The foliage is a deep green with new growth emerging in shades of reddish-bronze.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 6-8 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Foliage: Deep green with reddish-bronze new growth
- Flowering: Reddish flowers that appear in late winter to early spring
Best Uses: ‘Linebacker’ is great for privacy screens, windbreaks, or as a tall background plant. Its upright growth habit also makes it suitable for narrow spaces or as a focal point in larger landscapes.
6. Distylium ‘Swing Low’
‘Swing Low’ is a low-growing, spreading variety that makes an excellent groundcover. It has dark green foliage with a slightly arching growth habit, creating a lush and layered effect in garden beds. This variety stays low to the ground, making it a wonderful option for filling in wide areas with greenery.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 1-2 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Foliage: Dark green, dense foliage
- Flowering: Small reddish flowers in late winter
Best Uses: ‘Swing Low’ is best used as a groundcover, in rock gardens, or as an edging plant. Its low profile and spreading habit help to prevent soil erosion, and it pairs beautifully with taller plants in layered plantings.
7. Distylium ‘Vintage Red’
‘Vintage Red’ is prized for its reddish-bronze new growth, which creates a striking contrast against the mature green foliage. This variety has a compact, mounding habit and is slightly smaller, making it ideal for smaller spaces or container gardens.
Key Characteristics:
- Height & Spread: 3-4 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide
- Foliage: Reddish-bronze new growth that turns green
- Flowering: Reddish flowers appear in late winter
Best Uses: ‘Vintage Red’ works well as a low hedge, foundation planting, or as a colorful accent in mixed borders. Its new growth color adds a beautiful splash of color, especially in spring.
Distylium Variety Comparison Table
Here’s a quick reference table comparing the various Distylium varieties, highlighting their key characteristics and best uses:
| Variety | Height & Spread | Foliage | Flowering | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Jade | 2-3 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide | Deep green, dense | Reddish-brown flowers | Groundcover, low hedges |
| Blue Cascade | 3-4 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide | Blue-green, cascading habit | Reddish-maroon flowers | Foundation plant, specimen |
| Cinnamon Girl | 2-3 ft tall, 3-4 ft wide | Purple-red new growth, green mature | Dark red flowers | Containers, accent plant |
| Emerald Heights | 5-6 ft tall, 5-6 ft wide | Glossy green, rounded habit | Reddish-purple flowers | Hedge, privacy screen |
| Linebacker | 6-8 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide | Deep green, reddish-bronze new growth | Reddish flowers | Privacy screen, tall background |
| Swing Low | 1-2 ft tall, 4-6 ft wide | Dark green, low-growing | Small reddish flowers | Groundcover, rock gardens |
| Vintage Red | 3-4 ft tall, 4-5 ft wide | Reddish-bronze new growth, green mature | Reddish flowers | Low hedge, foundation planting |
Why Choose Distylium?
1. Low Maintenance
Distylium shrubs are exceptionally low-maintenance, making them ideal for both beginner and seasoned gardeners. They require little to no pruning to maintain their shape, and their natural growth habits allow them to fit seamlessly into various landscaping styles.
2. Drought and Pest Tolerance
These shrubs are naturally resistant to many common pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments. Their drought tolerance also makes them suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
3. Year-Round Interest
With evergreen foliage, seasonal color changes in new growth, and winter blooming flowers, Distylium offers visual interest all year long. This is a valuable feature for gardens that aim to look vibrant and appealing even in winter.
Planting and Care Tips for Distylium
Planting
- Choose a well-drained location with full to partial sun exposure.
- Amend soil with organic matter if needed to improve drainage.
- Space plants according to their mature spread, as these shrubs can fill out quite well.
Watering
- Water newly planted Distylium regularly to establish roots.
- Once established, they are relatively drought-tolerant, requiring water only during prolonged dry spells.
Pruning
- Minimal pruning is needed, but if desired, trim in early spring before new growth appears.
- Lightly prune to maintain shape and remove any damaged or dead branches.
Fertilization
- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
- Avoid excessive fertilizing, as it may lead to unwanted leggy growth.
Conclusion
Distylium is a rising star in the world of ornamental shrubs, offering resilience, beauty, and versatility. From the compact ‘Vintage Jade’ to the tall and upright ‘Linebacker,’ there’s a Distylium variety to suit nearly any garden need. Whether you’re looking to create a low-maintenance landscape, add year-round interest, or introduce unique foliage textures, Distylium is a great choice. By understanding the characteristics and best uses of each variety, you can select the perfect Distylium for your garden and enjoy its beauty for years to come.