This Shrub is on the south side of the Grass Path.

Native to northern China.

A deciduous shrub that reaches 3.5 m and 2.5 m width.

The branches grow from the base, but it can be shaped into a small tree. A favourite shrub for the winter garden.

The leaves are obovate to ovate, 6 to 8 cm long, pointed, serrated, hard in texture; they are glabrous except for the veins on the underside. They will turn purple-red before they fall.

Flowers are white or with pinkish tints when they open, becoming more pink later on. Sweetly scented (from January), 16 mm in diameter, in 5 cm diameter cymes. These appear before the leaves open.

Fruit is red that turns black when ripe. In some species the fruit starts to turn pale yellow. They are attractive to birds who feed on them.

Fruit is toxic to ingestion by humans.