All Seasons Plant Finder

Other Names:  Evergreen Witch Hazel, Witchhazel

Description:

This evergreen shrub has a spreading habit with lateral branching that creates a layered effect; red flowers along the branches accentuates the horizontal structure of the shrub; excellent for massing along borders

Ornamental Features

Distylium is clothed in stunning red spider-like flowers along the branches from late winter to mid spring, which emerge from distinctive creamy white flower buds. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage. The narrow leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Distylium is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a stunning habit of growth which features almost oriental horizontally-tiered branches. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Distylium is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Distylium will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.