Starts as a shrub and grows into a multiple-stemmed tree. Grows in the wild in the mountain forests of China, Japan and Korea. Width of the crown circa 4 - 5 m. The growth is slow, especially when maturing. The leaf is dark green and slightly curved. The underside is blue green and a little bit hairy: the autumn colouring has yellow and scarlet red hues. Each head has inconspicuous flowers and has 4, circa 8 cm large, bracts that are creamy white to bright white in colour. In full bloom particularly decorative. The red, strawberry-like fruits are circa 2 cm across and have stalks that are 4 cm long and red coloured. The plant is shallow rooting with a fibrous root system. Requires a rich soil with a high humus content. Tolerates more drought and is slightly stronger than C. florida. There are several good cultivars, usually selected from the species chinensis.