[1] Stiff, pendent racemes of bell-shaped, greenish-yellow flowers are borne on glossy, dark brown branches in winter and spring.

The flowers are followed by simple ovate leaves which colour to pink and red before falling in autumn.

[2] This is the most widely distributed species of the genus, and is found throughout southern and eastern China as well as the island of Taiwan.

It is also highly variable, with some populations on the mainland more closely resembling S. himalaicus.

Two cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:[4]