Distyllium

Distylium hybrids are an exciting new arrival in the nursery trade. They are a Southern gardener’s dream plant because they are evergreen, compact, disease and insect resistant, and are heat and drought tolerant. Distylium hybrids will also grow in wet soils. One clear advantage is that the plants require very little pruning. In addition to this, they produce a small reddish maroon flower from late January until March. The seed is a small brown capsule the same color as the stem and it is not invasive.

Currently, there are five available introductions that originate from the cross between two Isu-trees Distylium racemosum and D. myricoides. Distyliums are native to China and Japan. They are a member of the witch hazel family Hamamelidaceae, and a distant cousin to the common witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, which is native to the Eastern United States.

Due to their toughness, Distylium hybrids are an excellent alternative to laurels, junipers, hollies, Indian hawthorns, boxwoods, and in Dr. Dirr’s words “other green meatballs”.