Distylium 'Vintage Jade'*

Distylium 'Vintage Jade' in April 2018 before irrigation treatments began. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

UC Davis is located in Davis, California, this site has a silty clay loam soil and plants are irrigated with potable water. More information about the field sites is located in the Nuts & Bolts section.

This genus has been the focus of increased breeding efforts over the past 10-15 years as an alternative to evergreen shrubs such as Euonymus or Rhaphiolepis. While uncommon in California, Distylium cultivars are increasingly utilized in landscapes in the Southeastern US.  In this trial, there were no significant differences between treatments in relative plant growth.  In aesthetic ratings over the whole season, the Moderate treatment outperformed the Low treatment in Foliage quality and rated significantly better Overall Appearance than both Low and High treatment plants (Table 9a). These ratings were consistently so low after spring, however, that it never achieved a really acceptable landscape appearance, leading trials staff to conclude that this plant does not perform well in full sun in California’s Central Valley. Because of this, D. ‘Vintage Jade’ is currently under evaluation under 50% shade cloth for the 2019 season to see if it may perform better in that environment.

Open house participants appreciated the “interesting form” and shape that “may make a good hedge,” but as the season progressed, the foliage on Vintage Jade tended to bleach to yellow and older foliage at the base dropped resulting in a sparse, lanky appearance. This condition resulted in low overall ratings (Table 9b).

Distylium ‘Vintage Jade’ on low water under 50% shade in Davis in July 2019. Photo: SK Reid.

Basic Info

Growth and Quality Data

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Distylium 'Vintage Jade' on 20% of ET_o in October 2018. Photo: SK Reid.