disanthus

( dye - SANTH - us )

At-A-Glance Information

These graceful, deciduous, slender-branched understory shrubs are grown specifically for their magnificent fall colors; they are commonly called Long-Stiped Disanthus or Redbud Hazel. Leaves are almost round and smooth, and they will turn from a bluish green to deep red, purple and orange shades in cold weather. Tiny burgundy fall flowers are mildly and somewhat unpleasantly fragrant. These plants can reach 10 to 12 feet tall and just as wide at maturity. Redbud Hazel grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-8 or Sunset growing zones 4-7 and 14-17, and is native to China and Japan (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). The genus Disanthus is a member of the Hamamelidaceae, and includes two species, D. cercidifolius and D. ovatifolius.

Caring for Disanthus

Plant Disanthus shrubs in a space in the landscape that receives full to partial shade; these are understory plants that appreciate filtered sunlight. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. Once established, Redbud Hazel is considered somewhat drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Ensuring that the base and roots of these shrubs are in shaded conditions is key to keeping them well irrigated.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These shrubs keep a graceful, arching habit and do not need to be pruned except to remove dead or damaged branches. Rejuvenation prunings can be done to encourage a bushier habit to form in early springtime. Never cut back more than one third of the shrub at any time. Disanthus shrubs are long-lived perennials, and survive in the landscape for decades in suitable conditions before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Disanthus shrubs are best propagated using stem cuttings. To ​propagate your Disanthus, or Redbud Hazel, shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Disanthus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

These shrubs do not suffer from any disease or pest issues. For information on commonly-encountered garden pests and diseases, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

When leafed out, these shrubs take on a beautiful arching branch habit.
Redbud Hazel is grown for its beautiful fall color.
These shrubs do well in understory environments, alongside plants like Ferns.

Videos

Disanthus cercidifolius, featured in a video about the best plants for shaded gardens.

Resources

Redbud Hazel
Wikipedia: Disanthus cercidifolius
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 290, Disanthus cercidifolius