Distylium Cinnamon Girl

Distylium 'Cinnamon Girl' is a hardy, evergreen bush still uncommon in our gardens despite its numerous qualities. With dense and persistent vegetation throughout the year, it resists diseases and insects, tolerates pruning well, and withstands drought and heat. In average climates this recent hybrid is an excellent alternative to boxwood for low hedges, or to Lonicera nitida, as its growth is less significant and requires less pruning. Elegant with its glossy foliage of a rather fine texture, this cousin of Hamamelis stands out with beautiful purple young shoots, and is animated by small dark red flowers in winter. It prefers north-facing sun or partial shade, in hot climates, and only dislikes overly chalky or poorly drained soils.

Distylium is a genus belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae, like Parrotia, Hamamelis, Corylopsis and Loropetalum. The Distylium genus comprises 18 species of trees and shrubs, mostly native to China or Southeast Asia. The leaves are alternate and leathery, and the petal-less flowers, are grouped in spikes. Most species tolerate light frosts, but some horticultural hybrids are more cold-resistant.

This is the case with Cinnamon Girl, a recent variety from the First Editions range with small leaves, known as the hardiest of all, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -15°C (5 °F) to -17°C (1.4 °F). This good frost resistance allows it to be planted in most regions. This low-growing bush measures a maximum of 60 to 90 cm (23.6 to 35.4 in) in height, with a spread of 90 to 120 cm (35.4 to 47.2 in), forming very dense clumps that can act as ground cover on slopes, where it will limit erosion. Its foliage is made up of small elliptical lanceolate leaves, leathery and evergreen. It is particularly interesting in spring, with young shoots taking on a purplish hue, close to the colour of plums, which is very distinguished against the older bluish-green foliage.
Being a true Hamamelidaceae, this bush flowers in late winter (February-March), producing reddish spikes of petal-less flowers, inconspicuous, but welcome at a time still poor in flowers.
The branches are relatively upright at the base and then open up more widely to form a very spreading clump. As it tolerates pruning well, it can be shaped into low hedges, replacing boxwood well as it is not susceptible to insects or diseases. It is an accommodating plant, growing in ordinary, well-drained neutral to slightly acidic soil (limestone causes chlorosis), from moist to dry. It thrives in the sun and tolerates shade in hot climates, and can even be grown in the south as it withstands heat very well and, once rooted, also withstands drought.

With its very dense foliage and spreading habit, this Distylium will be perfect for covering and stabilizing a slope, or forming a resistant low hedge, or even being integrated into the foreground of a mixed border. Its natural inclination towards slightly acidic soils allows it to be associated with other plants from the same family, such as varieties of Loropetalum that have the same needs. 'Black Pearl' with its almost black purple foliage will create a superb contrast, while its bright red-pink flowering will brighten up spring. To extend the flowering season, you can also plant Hydrangeas in the same border, such as the superb Hydrangea paniculata Diamant Rouge, whose flowering starts white before turning increasingly dark shades of pink, ending in a wine colour after 3 months.