About

A slowly-growing, rounded deciduous shrub to 3m tall, with heart-shaped, blue-green leaves with irregular, creamy-white margins. In autumn it produces lightly scented, spidery red flowers to 2cm across. Before the leaves fall they take on bright, fiery hues.

About the genus

Disanthus are large deciduous shrubs with broadly heart-shaped leaves which colour well in the autumn, when the paired, small, starry, 5-petalled maroon flowers open

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesArchitectural
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained, lime-free soil in sun or partial shade, sheltered from strong winds
PruningSee pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed in autumn or spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free