Size: shrub, 3-6' average height and spread at maturity
Buds: rounded, much smaller than those of R. catawbiense
Leaves: evergreen, alternate, 1-2.5", simple, usually elliptic, dark green above, changing to purple in winter, essentially glabrous, thick, leather, rusty-scaly beneath
Twigs: 1 bundle scar
Flowers: monoecious, vivid lavendar pink, many cultivars, flowers heavily in mid to late April
Fruit: dry capsule, sets little to no seed
