Why plant Swing Low® Distylium?
Have an unsightly "dead spot" in your landscape where no plants will grow? No worries, Swing Low Distylium is the perfect groundcovering shrub that will fill those empty spaces with color and evergreen flair all year round. The dense shrubby foliage is abundant with blue-green leaves and is easy enough to maintain that only minor pruning may be needed at any given time. Swing Low is disease and pest resistant, emphasizing how low maintenance this character is in the landscape.
Originating from China, Distylium makes up a small grouping of plants that are actually related to witch-hazel. There were three distyliums brought over from China that proved to be popular: Distylium myricoides, Distylium racemosum, and a hybrid between the two. It was the hybrid that attracted Dr. Michael Dirr at the University of Georgia to the DNA and reseeding of this hybrid. Some of the seedlings were selected and patented; plant 'PIIDIST-VI' was patented in 2016 after its great performance during one of the hottest Georgia summers and is now the plant that we know as the First Editions Swing Low Distylium.
How to use Swing Low® Distylium in the landscape?
One of the more compact distyliums on the market, Swing Low keeps it's shape better than most. The blue-green foliage keeps it's wonderful color year round and adds color in any season. Use Swing Low in groupings or planting en masse for the best effect that this plant can offer. A great substitute for plants such as laurels, boxwoods, hollies, and junipers, you'll fall in love with Swing Low the first season!
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 7-9
How To Plant Swing Low® Distylium
Swing Low is a very adaptable plant able to thrive in almost any conditions. Known for its heat tolerance, Swing Low can withstand conditions such as dry soils, heat, and even wet soils and seasonal flooding.
How To Fertilize
Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.