Distylium

Distylium 'Vintage Jade'

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Distylium (Distylium hybrids such as Vintage Jade) is a modern, remarkably trouble-free broadleaf evergreen that has quickly become a favorite low-care substitute for boxwood and dwarf hollies. It has a low, spreading, layered habit and blue-green, leathery leaves, with tiny maroon flowers along the stems in late winter that are more curiosity than show. Vintage Jade arches into a low mound about 2 to 3 ft tall and wider, ideal for massing and the front of borders. It is deer resistant and reported to have essentially no serious insect or disease problems.

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Sun

full sun to partial shade

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Water

Every 7 days

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Harvest

~60 days

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Difficulty

easy

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Lifecycle

perennial

Comes back every year

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Spacing

4-5 ft apart for massing

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Planting Depth

Set at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot

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Soil pH

5.5-7.5

Growing Details

Soil Type

Adaptable; moist, well-drained

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7 – 9

When to Fertilize

In early spring as new growth begins

Fertilizer

Balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer

🌱 Growing Guide

Distylium is easy and adaptable, growing in full sun to partial shade in a wide range of soils from clay to sand and acidic to slightly alkaline, as long as drainage is reasonable; it tolerates both moist sites and, once established, short dry spells. It needs very little care, with a naturally neat, spreading form that rarely requires pruning - trim only to shape after the late-winter bloom. Mulch to conserve moisture while establishing. Its toughness, deer resistance, and freedom from pests are the main reasons it has become so widely planted.

Planting Calendar

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Direct sow

Apr 15

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Projected first harvest

Jun 14

JJan

FFeb

MMar

AApr

MMay

JJun

JJul

AAug

SSep

OOct

NNov

DDec

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

Loropetalum — A purple-leaved evergreen that contrasts with distylium blue-green foliage
Camellia — A larger broadleaf evergreen that rises behind a low distylium mass
Liriope — An evergreen edging grass that lines a sweep of distylium

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

Few serious pests
Distylium is notably pest- and disease-free; routine plant health and good drainage are usually all that is needed
Root rot
Can occur in waterlogged soil; plant in reasonably drained ground and avoid overwatering

🌾 Harvest & storage

Distylium is grown as a low evergreen filler, not for harvest. It is one of the lowest-maintenance shrubs available: its naturally neat, spreading habit means the only real task is an occasional light trim after the late-winter flowers to shape it.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

Distylium is an ornamental evergreen landscape shrub, not edible. Its value is exceptionally low-maintenance, pest-free, deer-resistant evergreen groundcover and massing.

For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.