Distylium myricoides 'Athens Tower' (Distylium)

Distylium myricoides 'Athens Tower', occasionally called isu tree or winter-hazel, is a cultivar of distylium, an evergreen relative of the witch-hazel family originally native to China. As an upright shrub 'Athens Tower' can reach heights of 6-8' tall with a mature width of 4-6 feet, perfect for evergreen foundation plantings and shaped specimen plantings. Light green new growth matures to lustrous dark green colors reminiscent of ivy, and plants do not tend to thin in the center, instead forming a vase-like shape that makes a striking impression when used in borders or hedges. Though many distylium grow very rapidly, 'Athens Tower' is noted for its slower growth rate, which leads to stronger, more consistent structure over time.

'Athens Tower' distylium prefers full sun or partial shade, and grows best in average, medium-moist, well-drained soils. In the late winter and early spring, Distylium myricoides 'Athens Tower' produces dense clusters of small, fuzzy red flowers that attract and feed pollinators, making them an important off-season food plant for a number of species. As an introduced plant, 'Athens Tower' has no real issues with pests or disease, and is becoming a popular replacement for both cherry laurel and larger boxwood cultivars for screening and hedges due its low-maintenance growth habit and its better tolerance of drought, heat, and rabbit and deer damage.