Heavily scented deep-pink flowers appear on racemes for six weeks in midsummer. Bees and butterflies can’t resist the nectar-rich flowers. Whorls of attractive finely serrated distinctly veined dark green foliage turn deep gold in fall. Dangling dried “black peppercorns” persist into the next growing season.

Erect oval habit, often suckering to form dense colonies. Slow growing. Prefers moist well-drained acid soils. A good shrub to border streams and ponds. Will tolerate salty coastal conditions. Full sun to shade. Easy to grow. Species native to eastern U.S. Z3. (plugs)