Vintage Jade distylium

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; growth is usually denser in sun.

Water

Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, it tolerates short dry spells, but benefits from deep watering during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained soil, preferably mildly acidic to neutral. Tolerates clay if drainage is adequate; avoid persistently waterlogged ground.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m)

Flowers

Small, reddish, petal-less flowers along the stems in late winter to early spring; easily overlooked.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, leathery, oval to narrowly oval leaves with smooth edges; glossy dark green on low, spreading branches.

Growth

Moderate.

Care needed

Low

• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.8 ft (0.55 m)

3. After 2 years

   2 ft (0.6 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.1 ft (0.65 m)

5. After 5 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, and allow room for its mature spread.
• Water deeply when the root zone begins to dry during the first growing season.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Feed lightly in spring with a slow-release shrub fertiliser only if growth is weak or the soil is poor.
• In colder parts of its range, choose shelter from drying winter winds.

Pruning. Prune lightly just after flowering, shortening wayward shoots or removing selected branches to preserve the spreading shape. Remove dead or damaged wood when noticed; avoid routine hard shearing and late-season pruning.

Late winter

Check for wind scorch or cold damage; wait until new growth starts before deciding which damaged stems need removal.

Spring

Plant once the soil is workable, water thoroughly and mulch the root zone.

Spring

After flowering, lightly prune any shoots that extend beyond the available space.

Early summer

Check newly planted shrubs regularly and water deeply when the root zone begins to dry.

Late summer

Water during prolonged drought and avoid pruning that would encourage tender new growth.

Autumn

Refresh mulch if needed and water before winter if the soil is dry.

• Plant in broad groups beneath windows for a low evergreen foundation layer.
• Use as an informal border beside paths, allowing space for branches to spread without repeated clipping.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and flowering perennials to provide a dark green backdrop throughout the year.
• Mass on gently sloping ground for low cover where drainage is good.

Garden styles it suits: Modern, Southern, Low-maintenance, Green on green, Traditional and Winter interest.

Plant it with: Oakleaf hydrangea, Camellia, Liriope, Autumn fern, Switchgrass and Coneflower.

Wildlife: Dense evergreen branches provide cover for small birds and other garden wildlife. The small flowers may attract visiting insects, but this is not a major nectar or fruiting shrub.

• Root rot in persistently wet soil: improve drainage or move the shrub to a raised planting area; do not keep watering saturated ground.
• Winter leaf scorch or stem dieback: provide shelter from cold winds, maintain mulch and remove dead growth after spring growth begins.
• Yellow leaves in alkaline soil: check soil pH and drainage before feeding; move to a more suitable site if lime-induced chlorosis persists.
• Sparse, open growth in deep shade: move to a brighter position rather than repeatedly shearing.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but reliable toxicity information for this cultivar is limited. No particular part is established as poisonous; it is not an edible plant, and significant ingestion should be discussed with a poison service or veterinarian.

• Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

  Boxwood has leaves in opposite pairs and generally a more upright, densely twiggy habit. Distylium leaves are alternate, and Vintage Jade has distinctly spreading branches.

• Japanese holly (Ilex crenata)

  Japanese holly usually has finely scalloped leaf edges and may carry black berries. Vintage Jade has smooth leaf edges and produces small dry capsules rather than berries.

Distylium comes from Greek words meaning 'two styles', referring to the flower's two styles.

Propagation. Usually propagated by semi-ripe stem cuttings in summer under humid conditions. Seed will not reproduce the cultivar faithfully; check applicable plant breeders' rights or patent restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Distylium

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.