A slow growing, deciduous, small to medium-sized understory tree with very nice textured foliage. Used in Bonsai. The tree will develop a 'craggy' trunk in less time than most trees, thus why it is popular for Bonsai. Attractive ornamental fruiting 'catkins' are produced when the tree is more mature. These catkins with overlapping bracts resemble hops. Grows well in larger containers. This tree, over time will grow to 20-25 ft in the ground. Hardy to zone 4. This is one of my favorite species which Hillier describes as “A very beautiful...small tree or large shrub with prominently corrugated leaves and conspicuous fruiting catkins. Deciduous.