A small genus of evergreen shrubs and trees, related to Loropetalums and the Witch Hazels, that is native to eastern Asia.
Distylium myricoides ( Blue Leaf Isu Tree )
A moderate growing, gracefully arching, layered, spreading, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 12 x 8 feet. that is native to mountain evergreen forests in China. Some records include: 5 years - 3 x 7 feet; 8 years - 5 x 8 feet. It makes an excellent substitute for the overabundant Otto Luyken Cherrylaurel.
The narrow, oblanceolate, leathery, eucalyptus-like leaves are up to 4.5 x 1.6 inches in size. The foliage is glossy blue-green.
The puffy deep red flowers are borne during early spring.
The flowers are followed by a woody capsule.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 in full sun to partial shade on acidic to neutral, fertile, well drained soil. It is tolerant of wind, extreme heat, drought and temporary flooding.
'Bluescape'
A moderate growing, low, spreading, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 1 x 3 feet in 3 years, eventually to 2 x 4 feet.
The foliage is bronze at first, turning to blue-grey. The oblong leaves are up to 2.7 x 0.8 inches in size.
The small deep red flowers are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 ( tolerating as low as -13 F ). Drought tolerant.
* patent photos
'Lucky Charm'
A low, spreading form, developed by Piroche Plants in British Columbia, that reaches a maximum size of only 5 x 8 ( rarely taller than 3 ) feet. It is great for massed plantings and slopes.
Distylium racemosum ( Isu Tree )
A dense, upright, evergreen, large shrub to large tree, reaching a maximum size of 60 ( rarely over 20 ) feet, that is native to Korea, southern Japan and neighboring parts of China. Some records include: 30 years - 20 feet; largest on record - 100 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. It makes a great evergreen hedge or windbreak in the southeastern U.S. Long lived, it can persist as long as 600 years.
The oval leaves are up to 5 x 2 ( rarely over 3 x 1.5 ) inches in size. The thick foliage is glossy deep green.
The small, deep red flowers are borne in clusters up to 3 inches, during late spring.
The fruits are small, brown woody capsules.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 in full sun on moist, acidic, light, fertile soil though it does tolerate heavy clay. It is very heat and drought tolerant; it thrives in the southeastern U.S. It is pest, and disease free and generally easy to grow. Distyliums are considered to be deer resistant. They are easily transplanted from containerized plants. Pruning is generally not needed, however tip pruning after flowering and during early summer will encourage denser habit. Propagation is easy from cuttings.
Hybrids
These are the hybrids between Distylium myricoides & D. racemosum. Care is the same as Distylium racemosum. These hybrids are virtually disease free, can tolerate extreme heat and drought as well as temporary flooding.
‘Blue Cascade’
Fast growing, compact, spreading and weeping in habit, reaching up to 3.5 x 8 feet in 5 years, eventually 4 x 12 feet possible.
The foliage is bronze-purple at first, turning to deep blue-green. The elliptical leaves are up to 1.8 x 0.6 inches in size.
The red flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne from the leaf axils during late winter.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( reports of 6 ) in full sun to partial shade.
* photo taken on June 18 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Aug 19 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 17 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Mar 12 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Mar 16 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 21 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 25 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 22 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Mar 4 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 12 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 15 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 14 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 5 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Jan 27 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 17 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Cast in Bronze'
Fast growing and upright, rounded in habit, reaching up to 2 x 2.4 feet in 2 years, eventually to 4 x 5 feet. It makes a great mid-sized hedge.
The foliage is deep bronzy-red at first, turning to glossy deep green. The narrowly-elliptical leaves are up to 2.3 x 0.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photos taken on Sep 23 2021 in Ellicott City, MD
'Cinnamon Girl'
A compact, rounded, small-leaved form that gives the appearance of a boxwood with the added interest of layered branching. It is moderate growing, reaching up to 1.6 x 3 feet in 3 years, eventually to 3 x 4 feet.
The foliage is reddish-purple at first, turning to blue-green. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 2 x 0.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photo taken on Apr 29 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 12 2022 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on Sep 10 2022 in Elkridge, MD
'Coppertone'
A fast growing, medium-sized, rounded to spreading, evergreen shrub, reaching up to 3 x 5 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 6 feet. It is a great substitute for Otto Luyken Laurels.
The foliage is coppery-red at first, turning to deep blue-green. The elliptical leaves are up to 2.4 x 1 inches in size.
The tiny red flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, appear during mid to winter.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* patent photos
‘Emerald Heights’
Fast growing, dense, rounded and upright in habit, reaching up to 10 x 8.5 feet in 5 years, eventually up to 13 x 10 feet or slightly more. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 3 feet. The layered branching gives it an exotic effect.
It is great for evergreen screening.
The attractive leathery foliage is bright green at first, turning to glossy deep green. The elliptical leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.8 inches in size.
The small, red, axilliary flowers are borne during late winter.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* photo taken @ Smithsonian Inst, Wash., DC on Aug 25 2014
* photos taken on Sep 3 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 2 2017 in Odenton, MD
* photos taken on Aug 28 2017 in Odenton, MD
* photo taken on Oct 15 2017 in Odenton, MD
* photos taken on June 11 2018 in Odenton, MD
* photo taken on Mar 13 2019 in Odenton, MD
* photos taken on July 16 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Apr 23 2023 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Nov 18 2023 in Odenton, MD
'Jewel Box'
Compact, dense and rounded to mounding in habit, reaching up to 1.4 x 1.4 feet in 3 years, eventually to 3 x 5 feet. It is great for low hedges and mass plantings.
The fine-textured foliage is verdant glossy blue-green. The elliptical leaves are up to 1.6 x 0.5 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* patent photos
'Linebacker'
Fast growing, upright to rounded in habit, reaching up to 5 x 5.7 feet in 4 years, eventually to 10 x 8 feet. The trunk diameter can reach up to 2.2 inches wide at ground level in just 4 years.
The leathery foliage is reddish at first, turning to glossy deep green. The oblong leaves are up to 2.2 x 1 inches in size.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 in full sun to partial shade.
* photo taken on June 17 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 20 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Oct 29 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Jan 8 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 19 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 25 2024 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 24 2024 in Columbia, MD
* patent photos
'Spring Frost'
Moderate growing, compact and spreading in habit, reaching up to 1.6 x 3.4 feet in 3 years, eventually to 4 x 5+ feet.
The foliage is heavily tinged white at first, eventually turning to blue-green. The elliptical leaves are up to 1.5 x 0.4 inches in size.
The red flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne during early spring.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* patent photos
'Swing Low'
Compact, low and spreading in habit, making it a great option for mass plantings, it reaches up to 2 x 5 feet in 4 years, eventually to 3 x 6+ feet.
The densely-arranged leaves are deep blue-green. The elliptical leaces are up to 1.6 x 0.6 inches in size.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( possibly 6b on protected sites )
* patent photo
‘Vintage Jade’
A moderate growing, dense, low, groundcover form, reaching up to 2.6 x 8 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 11 feet. Some records include: 5 years - 2 x 8 feet. Vintage Jade is great for covering large areas.
The foliage is light green at first, turning to glossy deep green. The elliptical leaves are up to 2.5 x 0.8 inches in size.
The deep-red flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne late winter.
Hardy zones 6b to 9 in full sun to partial shade.
* photo taken on Aug 24 2018 in Washington, D.C.
* photo taken on June 7 2020 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on Sep 10 2023 @ Smithsonian Institute, Wash., DC
* patent photo
