Plant Type: Shrub
Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Size: 2-6 ft. H X 2-3 ft. W
Flower: Blooms in spring; very inconspicuous; about 1/3 inch across; 5 greenish-yellow petals
Leaf: Opposite; semi-evergreen; narrow; dark green; toothed
Fruit: Warty red capsule about an inch in diameter; splits when ripe to expose 4-5 orange-red seeds
Special Attributes: Green stems provide interest year round; fruit provides interest in fall
Natural Habitat: Shady understory of moist forests
Cultural Notes: Shade to partial shade; prefers well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic soil; once established, can tolerate drought; will form colony from suckers over time; a favorite food plant for deer
Propagation: Greenwood cuttings in summer; seed after cold treatment; division of clumps in winter