| General Description | An upright deciduous shrub commonly used in woodland gardens, shrub borders and as a massing plant for winter interest. |
| ID Characteristic | Bright red stems, with ovate, medium-green leaves and white flowers. |
| Shape | Upright, rounded vase shaped shrub. |
| Landscape | Useful for woodland gardens, informal hedging, wet or swampy areas, mixed hedges, winter interest and screening. |
| Propagation | Easily from softwood cuttings struck in moist sand or perlite with bottom heat. |
| Cultivation | Plant in full to partial sun in mildly acidic, moist soils. |
| Pests | Mussel scale, aphids, dogwood blight and glass-house red spider mite. |
| Bark/Stem Description | The bark is a bright, rich red and remains a contributing aesthetic factor in winter if the older stems are pruned (removed) towards the end of winter or early spring. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Dark burgundy buds. |
| Leaf Description | Narrow, ovate leaves with acute apices, 4-12 cm in length. Autumn colour is usually red to burgundy. |
| Flower Description | Small white aggregate flowers, from 2-5 cm, many of the blooms are lost within the dense foliage. |
| Fruit Description | Orbicular drupe, white and ranges from 1-2 cm in size. |
| Colour Description | The bright red bark remains the same colour all year long, flowers and fruit are white while the foliage changes from medium-green in the spring and summer to red and burgundy in autumn..
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| Texture Description | Medium, doesn't change with age. |