Re: Disanthus cercidifolius?

Hi Chris:

I have had a Disanthus cercidifolius for five or so years. My plant came
from Heronswood mail order and is now a substantial shrub about 5' tall and
5' wide. It is planted in rather poor soil in the shade of a tulip poplar, a
Cornus florida,  and my neighbor's  mixed hedge, getting only a bit of late
afternoon sun. 

It has presented no problems and does have wonderful fall color. If it
flowers....supposedly in fall....I never notice. The leaves are heart
shaped, similar to but larger than our native redbud (Cersis canadensis).
Initially, I had trouble figuring out its habit, as it seemed to put out
branches every which-way. I had never seen the plant so had no idea what to
expect; I was just charmed by Dan Hinkley's description in one of the older
catalogues, or perhaps in a lecture I heard. He had suggested planted it
with Callicarpa (Purple Beauty Bush), with its purple berries ripening about
the same time as the fall color of the Disanthus comes into its own. I went
out and got the Callicarpa and have them planted together, but am not crazy
about the combination, as both plants are rather arching and probably could
use more space than I have given them. A third companion plant must be out
there to compliment both, but I haven't gotten around to reworking the
combination.

As far as being picky, I would not assign that label to Disanthus at all.
The site I have it in tends to be dry, never moist, and is in one of the
least acidic areas on my property, which I confess grows ericaceous plants
quite easily. However, this spring, I lost a Corylopsis paucifolia (same
family), to unknown causes, even though I thought it was a much tougher
plant; it was planted in the same area.

The only extra organic material this area gets is an annual dressing of
cedar mulch. The color comes rather late here in the Philadelphia suburbs
and I've suspected more sun might make it more of a showpiece. I like the
plant. Go for it!

Lorraine Wallace
Zone 6b


> Is anyone out there growing Disanthus cercidifolius?  It sounds like
> quite an interesting plant, but I'm curious about its pickiness with
> regard to cultural situations.....
> 




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