Light: In Phoenix, provide gentle morning sun and afternoon shade in a cool, sheltered location. Avoid reflected heat and intense midday sun.
Water: Keep the root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged. Check moisture frequently during hot weather; this is not a drought-tolerant shrub. Low-alkalinity irrigation water is preferable.
Soil: Acidic, humus-rich, well-drained soil, approximately pH 5.0–6.0. In Phoenix, use an acidic potting mix in a large, well-insulated container rather than native alkaline soil.
Mature size: Typically about 6–12 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide in suitable climates; container-grown plants usually remain smaller.
Bloom: Produces hanging flower clusters in spring, generally as new leaves emerge. Flowering may be unreliable under Phoenix conditions.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate under favorable conditions.