Description
Small, compact, relatively fast growing deciduous shrub (H 1,2-1,5 m, W 0,8-1,2 m). Crown funnel-shaped, dense. Bark on young shoots olive green, later grey-green to distinctly red-brown, ornamental, it peels off decoratively in wide strips. Leaves broadly ovate (6-8 cm), simple, smooth, dark green with a strong pink-red hue, autumn colour yellow orange to red. Flowers in large, upright panicles (15-20 cm), simple, with crap-paper like petals, bright red-pink. Flowering period: July-September. Fruits dry, round (1,5 cm), open star-shaped, dark brown. Ripening time: October. It grows well in fertile, sufficiently drained, partly sandy soils, in distinctly sunny, warm sites. Easily withstands urban conditions, heat, drought and salt. Good also as a container-plant. Above ground parts may die in winter (at temperautres below -15 °C) but the plant survives and regrows well.