Shrub with an upright and dense crown, which can also be trained as a small tree. Evergreen, stiff, oval leaves measuring 8–12 cm long and 4–6 cm wide, borne on small petioles that are initially ruby red, then green with red shades, turning scarlet in autumn. It blooms in May with small white flowers tinged with pink, gathered in very large inflorescences. It fruits from late summer to late autumn with round berries about half a centimeter in size, initially red and then black. It grows in all soils but prefers moist, cool, and well-aerated ones. Used in compact hedges, thanks also to its tolerance of all types of pruning. It is also cultivated in containers. A dwarf variety is available, used for low hedges or as a potted plant.