Mound shaped deciduous shrub with densely packed clusters of pink to rose to purplish flowers. Long pink stamens reach out from the center of each flower. Spike-like bloom heads resemble steeples. Large flower heads rest ontop single branched orangish-red stems coated in woolly hairs. Flower heads are 3-4 inches wide & 8 inches long. Dark green foliage with serrated edges is accompanied by woolly hairs on the underneath surface. As flowers fade, brown seed pods coated in a mat of white hairs develop. Foliage turns a striking reddish-gold color in the fall.
Larvae host plant for spring & summer Azure butterflies, Sharp lined yellow moth, & the Blind-eyed sphinx.
Grows best in wet, acidic soils, but is tolerant to medium soil & clay.
Reaches 2-4ft tall & 3-5ft wide.
Blooms July to September in full to partial sun. Deer resistant.
Sold in 2x3" pots.