Deciduous shrub with a prostrate growth habit. It attains a height of less than 3 feet and will spread up to 10 feet across. It is non-invasive and grows approximately 5 inches per year. Its simple leaves are 2-4 inches long and 1/2 -1 inch wide. The leaf surfaces are green above and white below and turn red in the fall. New shoots are reddish and shiny, and often have adventitious roots forming along their length as they contact the ground. It has a fibrous primary root system.
Produces white flowers in the spring. The fruits produced in late summer are deep red to dark purple in color and are 1/2 to 5/8 inch in diameter. The fruits are valuable for wildlife and is a very attractive plant and is used in ornamental landscaping. Grows well on gravelly or sandy soils along streams but has performed well on silt loam and calcareous soils. It will tolerate periodic flooding only for a short period. Its massive root system allows it to tolerate drought conditions.
Photo Credit: USDA-NRCS