Description
Small, upright, fast growing, often multi-stemmed deciduous tree or large, bushy shrub (H 3-6 m, W 3-5 m). Crown broadly vase-shaped, open. 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, at first reddish, later mid to dark green, autumn colour intense, yellow, orange to bright red. Flowers in large, upright panicles (15-20 cm), simple, with crap-paper like petals, cherry red. 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. Outstandingly resistant to diseases.