Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 6b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | burgundy |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | layered |
| Mature height | 5 feet |
| Spread | 5 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
Emerald Heights Evergreen Distylium
Botanical name: Distylium ‘Emerald Heights’
An attractive evergreen plant with emerging light green foliage that matures to a glossy dark green; in late winter to early spring, reddish-maroon flowers emerge along the older branches; very elegant when massed together or as an accent shrub.
Other names: Evergreen Witch Hazel, Witchhazel
Ornamental Features
Emerald Heights Evergreen Distylium is clothed in stunning panicles of burgundy spider-like flowers along the branches from late winter to early spring. It has attractive dark green foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain dark green throughout the winter. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Landscape Attributes
Emerald Heights Evergreen 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.
Emerald Heights Evergreen Distylium is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, Mass Planting, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use
Planting and Growing
Emerald Heights Evergreen Distylium will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. 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 is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid.
