Disanthus cercidifolius
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dis-AN-thus ser-uh-sid-ih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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Disanthus is related to witch hazel and has small starfish-shaped flowers in fall after the leaves have dropped. It is one of the best shrubs for fall color even in full shade. It slowly grows to 8-10 feet tall and wide and prefers moist, rich soil. Give it protection from strong winds, hot afternoon sun, drought and deer. Its blue-green leaves are heart-shaped similar to a redbud and in fall the foliage puts on a show, turning red, yellow and orange.
Use this shrub in the shrub border, as a specimen, accent or foundation planting. Plant in shade to part shade with moist fertile well-drained soil.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Some susceptibility to fungal diseases in hot, humid climates.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Disanthus
- Species:
- ceridifolius
- Family:
- Hamamelidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan (S. Central & S. Honshu, Shikoku)
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a 2-lobed capsule and contains several glossy black seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/2 inch purple starfish-shaped flowers with 5 narrow petals bloom in fall after the leaves have fallen.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 2-4.5 inch dark bluish-green leaves which begin to change color in early fall with tints of burgundy that are followed by crimson with orange and gold undertones. The leaves are heart-shaped with a cordate base
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Brown smooth stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Specimen
