Common Name: disanthus
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Hamamelidaceae
Native Range: China, Japan
Zone: 5 to 8
Height: 6.00 to 10.00 feet
Spread: 8.00 to 10.00 feet
Bloom Time: October
Bloom Description: Purple
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flower: Insignificant
Leaf: Good Fall
Tolerate: Heavy Shade
Culture
Best grown in acidic, organically rich, medium moisture soils in light shade. Tolerates full shade. Prefers locations with protection from wind. Intolerant of drought.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Disanthus cercidifolius is a slender-branched, deciduous shrub typically growing 6-10' tall and gradually spreading with age. Rounded, blue green foliage turns a variety of colors in fall, ranging from orange to red to purple. Slightly aromatic, tiny, inconspicuous, dark purple flowers appear in fall and are followed by seed capsules which ripen in autumn of the year after flowering.
Genus name comes from the Greek words dis meaning twice and anthos meaning flower for the paired flowers.
Specific epithet is in reference to the similarity of the leaves to those of the redbuds (Cercis).
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to fungal diseases in hot, humid climates.
Uses
An interesting and somewhat unusual shrub that is most often grown for its excellent fall color. Plant in the shrub border, as a foundation plant or as a specimen around the home.