Most cultivars will be damaged or killed by winter cold in the Midlands and Piedmont. In some protected areas mature plants may reach up to 20 feet tall. Some dwarf cultivars stay as low as 3 to 5 feet. Established plants that have been damaged by cold will regrow very quickly from the base. Their quick growth rate and thick multi-stemmed habit makes them ideal for use as a screen or informal hedge.
Colors range from white through yellow, peach, salmon, and pink to deep burgundy red.
The leaves are smooth, dark green, thick and leathery. They are long and narrow, usually between 4 and 6 inches long and an inch or less in width. The dwarf cultivars also have smaller leaves. Leaves generally grow in whorls. They will tolerate partial shade, but may have a lanky, open shape.