Snowbush

Breynia distichia

Snowbush is a soft pink fantasy of a shrub with an airy, delicate look - a South Florida favorite for its romantic, informal appeal.

This plant adds a sweet touch as a single accent or cloud-like group plantings.

It's an excellent cottage-garden landscape staple, best left to grow fluffy rather than manicured.

New growth is darker pink on maroon stems, and the color fades to a mottled mix of pastel pink, gray-green and white as the foliage matures.

The color works best mixed with blue, pink, purple, lavender, white, even soft red - rather than strong shades like oranges or yellows.

There is a lesser-used dwarf variety that looks like a little boxwood dusted in snow.

The dwarf is a slower grower with smaller leaves and a mostly white variegation.

Plant specs

This evergreen plant is a moderate to fast grower that keeps its best color and fullness in full to part sun.

It prefers the warmth of Zone 10, and can grow large but is best kept about 3 feet tall. (The dwarf you can keep at 2 feet.)

Plant care

Amend the soil with a combination of top soil or organic peat moss and composted cow manure added to the hole when you plant.

This plant self-seeds so be prepared to pull up baby shoots around the mama plant.

Trim for size occasionally, cut back a bit harder in spring (late March to early April).

Water on a regular basis but don't keep the area overly wet.

Fertilize 3 times a year (in spring, summer and autumn) with a quality granular fertilizer.

Plant spacing

Plant these shrubs 3 feet apart. Come out from the house at least 2-1/2 to 3 feet.

This pretty plant will grow in a container, though it does much better in the ground.

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Landscape uses for snowbush

• as a low to medium-height hedge
• around a pool cage
• corner of the house or entry accent plant
• along a deck, patio, porch or lanai
• surrounding taller palm trunks
• lining a walkway
• accent in a mixed garden bed
  

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Other shrubs you might like: Copper Plant, Ligustrum Sinensis

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