First Editions® Linebacker™ Distylium

Garden designers across the country visit our site on the hunt for the First Editions® Linebacker™ Distylium (Distylium 'PIIDIST-IV' PP25,984). Also known as Winter Hazel, they use these extremely versatile screening plants for busy clients with real privacy concerns.

If you live in a warm climate, you can do the exact same thing. Linebacker is one of the best screening plants available on the market.

The thick, glossy leaves are red-tipped when young, to highlight your shrub with a gentle fire.

Linebacker Distylium are handsome broad-leaved evergreens. Let it easily add texture and vivid color to your landscape!

Fetching red flowers bloom in winter. True, they are petite, but it's sure nice to have something fun to discover in your winter garden.

These plants are related to Witch Hazel, so it's no wonder the blooms come along so early. You'll probably be surprised at how many intrepid early pollinators will show interest in these valuable nectar sources.

They'll grow into such an effective background of your garden. Use them to create "living walls" of an outdoor dining room. What a nice way to treat your guests!

Enjoy its glossy foliage all year long. Keep them trimmed up, or let them grow out into a free-form vertical accent.

With limited diseases and insect issues, and a welcome ability to stand up to the high heat and humidity of Zones 7 - 9, these rugged shrubs will be blissfully easy to care for. No need to worry about sun exposure or soil conditions. They seem to adapt to just about anything thrown at them.

What a treat! No wonder we can't keep them in stock. If you see it available on our site, place your order for Linebacker Distylium ASAP.

How to Use First Editions™ Linebacker Distylium in the Landscape

This is the variety to use if you need to make an ugly view disappear. Plant a long row four feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

LInebacker is tough enough to be used on commercial properties. It won't be long before you achieve a solid screen that adds value to your property.

If you really need heavy-duty privacy protection, create a natural-looking drift. Start with a single tree at the end, then plant two to three shrubs deep at the widest point.

Finish with another single tree at the other end. Curved lines look best for a natural look.

If you want to define your property, go ahead and use military precision when planting. These durable shrubs take shearing like a champion.

This plant is especially helpful if your selected spot runs in full sun and partial shade conditions. You'll never regret this choice.

#ProPlantTips for Care

These are widely adaptable. No worry if you want to plant in sun or shade, or in a low-lying area that stays wet periodically.

Provide a medium amount of water on a regular basis while your plants are young. After their roots are established, you'll be able to go on an extended vacation without fussing about your drought-tolerant hedge.

Prune in late winter to shape your shrub. Follow the line of the shrub for the best results. Remove damaged or crossing branches.

Once it is fully mature, you can remove a few of the older stems to the ground as a rejuvenation pruning every other year or so. The thinner, younger stems will have the best color.

Apply an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Follow the directions on the label.

While deer don't tend to bother this plant much, we do recommend that you apply deer repellent on new plants. In areas with heavy deer pressure, they get very hungry and curious. Reapply according to the label.

Linebacker Distylium is an excellent screening plant that can be used wherever you might consider Photinia, Holly or even Juniper. Order your commercial-grade plants from Nature Hills today!