Hardiness zones
Sunset 5-24
USDA 7 (freezes to ground each year), 8 (deciduous), 9 (semi-evergreen) - 11

Landscape Use: Mesic landscapes, graceful accent, foundation, informal screen, borders and edgings (dwarf cultivars)

Form & Character: Deciduous to evergreen shrub, inverted vase form, gracefully spreading and arching to compact depending on cultivar, clumping, formal

Growth Habit: Depending on cultivar, slow to moderate ranging from 2 to 10' with equal spread

Foliage/Texture: Opposite, glabrous, lanceolate dark green leaves to 1", sessile, brittle branches, medium fine texture

Flowers & Fruits: Clusters of white to pink tubular, bell- shaped flowers, terminal and axillary, small to 1/2" long, 1/4" wide, pink bracts, fruit inconspicuous

Seasonal Color: White to rosy pink flowers in summer and early autumn (much of the year in warmer climates), pinkish-red sepals, and scarlet to yellow fall foliar color in colder climates.

Temperature: Tolerant

Light: Full to partial sun

Soil: Tolerant of soil alkalinity

Watering: Regular irrigations in desert areas

Pruning: Severe renewal pruning of larger forms once a year in late winter. Do not frequently shear!

Propagation: Mostly by cutting, some seed

Disease and pests: None

Additional comments: Serviceable mesic shrub. Many outstanding cultivars including: 'Edward Goucher' and 'Sherwoodii' (both have pinkish flowers, dark green foliage and are semi-dwarf), 'Dwarf Variegata' (needs partial shade in Phoenix), 'Francis Mason' and 'Prostrata' are formal, rounded, dwarf cultivars for use in landscape borders and small hedges. 'Canyon Creek' has nice foliar colors.