"CARDINAL CANDY typically matures to 4-5’ tall and as wide. This is a dense, free-branching, bushy, upright-rounded, deciduous shrub that is distinguished by its multi-season ornamental interest and excellent winter hardiness. Small fragrant creamy white flowers in showy, large, rounded hemispherical clusters (cymes to 6” wide) appear in late spring. Flowers give way to ovoid bright red fruits (drupes) in showy pendulous clusters. Fruits mature in late summer to early fall but persist through winter until spring. Fruit is attractive to birds. Orbicular to broad-ovate, wrinkled, dark green leaves (to 5” long) are coarsely toothed and pubescent on both sides. Leaves turn russet red in fall." (MOBOT)
Selected by Rod Henneke in Indiana for its superior cold hardiness and abundant fruit production. U.S. Plant Patent PP12,870 issued August 20, 2002. Commonly sold under the trademark name Cardinal Candy.