Distylium Blue Cascade #3-Deer Resistant

Is your landscape stuck in the past with prickly Junipers or finicky Boxwoods that struggle in our summer heat? It might be time to meet the plant that is quickly becoming the "problem solver" for King and Winston-Salem gardeners: the Blue Cascade Distylium.

Here at Mitchell’s, we love a plant that is not high maintenance. The Blue Cascade is what we call a "cast-iron" plant -- it handles the Piedmont Triad's heavy red clay soil, wet feet, and droughts without skipping a beat. It features matte, blue-green foliage that grows in a cascading, layered habit, giving your garden a soft, flowing look rather than a rigid, stiff appearance.

Plus, it produces tiny reddish-maroon flowers in late winter. While they aren't showy from a distance, they are a nice surprise when the rest of the yard is still waking up.

Why we recommend them for NC yards:

• The "Anti-Juniper": You get that nice, low-growing evergreen coverage without the sharp needles. It’s soft to the touch and safe for kids and pets.

• Disease Resistant: If you’ve struggled with shrubs getting shot-hole disease or Boxwoods turning brown, this is the stress-free alternative you’ve been looking for.

• Keeps a Low Profile: This plant naturally wants to stay compact. It won’t shoot up and block your front windows, saving you from constant pruning duty.

• Versatile Toughness: Whether you have a spot that stays a bit too wet or a bank that bakes in the sun, the Blue Cascade is generally up for the challenge.

Best Used For: Low foundation plantings (under windows), stabilizing slopes, mass plantings for ground cover, and walkway borders.

Growth & Care: The Blue Cascade Distylium is a moderate grower, reaching a mature size of roughly 4 feet tall by 4 feet wide. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. 

For more technical details on this reliable evergreen, you can check the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox entry for distylium or chat with our team on your next visit.