Deciduous shrub with spreading branches. Glossy, dark green leaves turn a brilliant orange-red in autumn. The foliage is highly tolerant to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew. Brilliant, glossy red flower buds appear several weeks before the flowers begin to open in late April, extending the effective ornamental period by several weeks. The red of the flower buds contrasts well with the white of the opened flowers and is retained on the reverse of the flower.
Flowers have a strong, spicy, clove fragrance.
It grows well in many exposures and soils, but performs best in sun, or in light shade in more southern areas, with moderate moisture and well-drained soils. Specimen plant, massed group, shrub border, good background shrub for the perennial border or planted near public areas where the spicy fragrance can be fully appreciated.