Medium-sized, compact, upright evergreen shrub (H 2-3 m, W 1-2 m). Young shoots distinctly wine red to dark red, ornamental. Leaves broadly lanceolate to ovate (6-10 cm), smooth, slightly leathery, wavy, glossy, mid to dark green, lighter beneath. Flowers in upright clusters (12-20 cm), simple (1 cm), white. Flowering period: June. Fruits globose to egg-shaped (up to 1 cm), fleshy, dark red to dark violet-red. Ripening time: August-September. Grows best in a sheltered position, protected from dry, cold wind and very low temperatures, in moderately moist, deep, fertile soils. Not reliably hardy in central-european continental climate, needs winter protection. Easily withstands summer drought and heat, shade and pruning.
These plants grow well in sun or in partial shade. Usually they tolerate more sun and heat if given enough moisture; in partial or light shade they need less moisture.
Decidious have woody stems (i. e. tree trunk and branches) and are also called woody plants or trees. Leaves are normally broad, soft and thin.
Leaves or needles remain on the plant for several consecutive years, usually 2 to 5 years. Our descriptions contain the word evergreen.
Plant can in otherwise appropriate environment survive cold down to - 18 °C.
Porous or dry soils are normally light and loose, there is no stagnant water but relatively quickly flows in deeper layers; such ground are more airy and warmer, yet drier and usually contain less humus and for such undergrowth it is often to for drought to appear (e. g. rockgardens, walls, by paths and roads, on gravel, also on gravel surface in towns and close to buildings ...), plants of such undergrowth need well-drained soil, they tolerate drought but cannot tolerate constant moisture or even flooding.
Woody plant, normally branched at the ground level into several side stems, usually lacks of a dominant stem. Tree top can be of different shapes, dense or thin, symetric or uneven. Most shrubs reach a height of 1 to 2 metres, but some can grow much higher (up to 8 m); some can grow into very low or carpet-like forms.
