Crimson Needlebush

This giant shrub grows up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall and lives for around 29 years. It is very resistant to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has dozens of branched, crooked stems covered in thin, rough, dark brown bark, and the wood inside is pale brown-grey.

The branches are short, rigid and upright with dozens of twigs that and are covered with handfuls of giant, needle-like, leaves with tattered edges. The leaves themselves are a shade of pink-red that gradient shifts to blue at the top, resilient and crispy.

In early spring it produces lots of tiny, pink blossoms with heart-shaped shaped petals. They are sturdy and have a delicate scent that smells like varnish.

In late autumn 6 pointed fruits ripen. The waxy copper skin is thin and inedible, and the crunchy magenta flesh is bitter and sour and very dry. The cream seed is small and sits at the top of the fruit.