Purple-red stems make this an attractive, deciduous shrub that is great for rain gardens and riparian areas. It is deer tolerant and a larval host plant for over 100 species of moths and butterflies. White flowers bloom, then blueberry-like drupes that are favored by birds. It is a rounded shrub that will spread vigorously. This plant's latin name, Cornus amomum, is being transitioned to Swida amomum.