Description

Soil: Hydric(Wet), to Mesic(Medium)
Sun: Full to Part
Height: 2-4′
Color: Pink
Blooms: July-September
Flowers: The tiny 1/4″ flowers have 5 petals, 5 sepals, numerous stamens, and 5-8 pistils. They are clustered in a dense pointed branched cluster. Some say it resembles a steeple. Dense plumes are in terminal clusters
Leaves: The oblong, toothed leaves are fuzzy underneath. They are about 1-2″ long.

Suggested Uses:

It is a good plant for shoreline restoration and large raingardens. The reddish-brown bark is exfoliating and the leaves turn to yellow in the fall. It likes moist, moderately acidic soils.

Interesting Facts

Medicinal Uses: Tea from leaves and bark were used to treat diarrhea, while a poultice from the leaves and bark was used for ulcers and tumors.
Other Uses:  Attractive to birds and butterflies.

USDA Plants Database profile page