Crimson Bellflower

This small shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 95 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of flexible, straight stems covered in thick, rough, yellow-brown bark, and the wood inside is burgundy-brown.

The branches are short, rigid and upright with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with sparse amounts of small, perforated, leaves with wavy edges. The leaves themselves are generally crimson, flexible and smooth.

In mid-spring it produces clusters of medium-sized, azure blossoms with needle-like petals with a bell-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have a delicate scent that smells like old books.

In late autumn teardrop-shaped fruits ripen. The clammy black skin is stretchy and inedible, and the very soft hazel flesh is sour and sticky. The white seed is tiny and sits at the end of the fruit.