[4] Bartlettina sordida has reddish-purple branches clothed in slightly rough, dark green leaves with prominent venation and paler undersides.

[5] The large clusters of scented flowers appear in spring, mauve to lilac to magenta-blue in color.

[5] Bartlettina sordida is cultivated as an ornamental plant for use in gardens and parks.

The plant prefers bright dappled shade, and moist, well draining soils high in organic matter.

[4][6] Propagation is via seed, or semihardwood cuttings taken in autumn and winter or from prunings taken after flowering in late spring.