Deciduous (loses leaves over winter).  Upright spreading small tree, 15 to 25 feet high, with single or multi-stemmed. Foliage soft yellow green upon emergence early in year – January, February, or March – dark green at maturity. Fragrant cream-white flowers in August for 4-6 weeks, followed by very colorful rose-purple sepals for a few weeks; attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Bark exfoliates (peels) in strips, starting on 1 inch stems, striking on larger trunks, revealing lighter gray to almost white inner bark.  Well adapted to most soils.  Best in full sun, but also well in partial shade.