Distylium True

About this plant

Meet Distylium True, a stellar evergreen shrub from the First Editions® collection that brings year-round interest to your landscape. This hardworking plant features handsome, small, elliptical leaves that emerge with a reddish tint, maturing to a glossy, dark green. Its refined texture provides a sophisticated backdrop for other plants or stands beautifully on its own as a specimen. In late winter to early spring, tiny, unique reddish-maroon flowers appear along the stems, adding a subtle pop of color when most of the garden is still dormant. Its dense, upright habit makes it a versatile choice for foundation plantings, hedges, or mass plantings, providing excellent coverage and structure. Distylium True is a resilient and low-maintenance shrub, thriving in a range of conditions once established. It's an excellent alternative to traditional broadleaf evergreens, particularly in areas where disease or pest pressure is a concern. Enjoy its reliable performance and beautiful appearance year after year.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Easily grown in average, well-drained soils. Once established, it is highly drought tolerant. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain desired shape, though it rarely requires heavy pruning. Fertilize in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.