Sun: Full to partial
Moisture: Medium to moist
Height: 7-9'.
Bloom Time: Mid-May
Bloom Color: White
Genotype: Southwestern Michigan.
Indigenous interactions: One of the most widely and most variably used native shrubs by indigenous North American peoples in a variety of ecosystems.
 
Medicine: In the Great Lakes area, the Ojibwa used an infusion of bark for diarrhea or for poison ivy rash, and made a decoction of the root as a wash for sore eyes. The Potawatomi also used the bark to treat diarrhea.
 
Dye: The Ojibwa blended the plant with grindstone dust or black earth to make a black dye. 
 
Other: The Ojibwa smoked the bark in some ceremonies. The Potawatomi also smoked the toasted, shredded bark (all information: Moerman, 1998).
 
Clusters of flat-topped white flowerheads attract pollinators to this deciduous, moisture-loving native shrub. In winter, the red stems provide visual interest in the landscape.