We asked our Landscape Designer, Leah Kay, to give us some insight into some of her favorite trending plants. She told us about one plant that she thinks is under-used and needs more attention. Let’s see what she has to say.

“My favorite plant that I keep going back to is dystillium. There are lots of varieties that have different heights and forms, but it is just a sturdy plant. I was reading about it online, and someone described it as ‘the best plant you’ve never heard of.’ (a)”

Leah described it as a very versatile foundation plant with pretty evergreen color and proven disease resistance. It almost has a boxwood-type leaf, but the habit is much more open and flowy. Although it is softer than a boxwood, it provides the same function in a landscape.

“Choosing dystillium is one way to get the classic look without going with something that everyone has seen before.”

According to Leah, there are several different varieties of dystillium. There is ‘Vintage Jade,’ which has a bright green color and gets about 3-4 feet tall and wide. A shorter variety, ‘Cinnamon Girl,’ has a deep blue-green foliage color and can get 2-3 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Leah’s favorite variety, ‘Linebacker,’ is perfect for a screening plant because it can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide. All of these varieties can also take full sun to part shade.

Take it from Leah – try out “the best plant you’ve never heard of.” You may be pleasantly surprised!

 

a: https://www.growertalks.com/Article/?articleid=21697