Distylium Coppertone

Distylium Coppertone is a bush that can withstand numerous challenges: disease, cold, heat, drought, and wet soils. Hardy down to -15°C (5 °F), it prefers sun in the north and partial shade in hot climates, and dislikes excessively chalky soils. Still relatively uncommon in our gardens, this bush from the witch hazel family is decorative all year round. In winter, the branches are covered in small red flowers. It is most beautiful in spring, when the coppery red of the young leaves contrasts with the bluish green of the older ones, and this variegated foliage persists until the first days of summer.

Distylium Coppertone forms a rounded bush reaching about 1m (3 ft 4 in) in height and a little wider, with moderately fast growth. Its foliage is evergreen, composed of small, tough, entire, alternate, obovate to lanceolate leaves, with a coppery bronze colour in spring, becoming matte emerald green with very clear bluish reflections throughout the rest of the year. They resemble laurel leaves in shape and are disease-free.

An accent and structural plant like dwarf conifers, this Distylium will find a place in a small hedge, as well as in a shrub or perennial bed. Interesting for its bluish foliage in winter, it can be associated with forsythias, Japanese quince, or Koreas, which will harmonize well with its colourful young shoots throughout spring. It integrates well in Japanese gardens, as well as in shrub beds in dry areas, as it tolerates drought in deep soil. Nandina, Choysia, laurel-tin, and Myrtus Tarentina can accompany it in a small evergreen hedge. It also grows very well in pots, and its branches can be used in floral arrangements.

Boxwoods have faced some difficulties in the past decade, as disease causes them to wither, spreading rapidly from one plant to another, killing them fairly quickly. Distylium is an excellent alternative that is not susceptible to this extremely devastating fungus. Like boxwoods, it can be shaped into beautiful plant structures.