- **Type**: Evergreen shrub

- **Height**: 6 to 12 feet (1.8 to 3.7 meters)

- **Width**: 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, dense, and moderately compact

- **Foliage**:

- Glossy, dark green leaves

- 4 to 5 inches long (10 to 13 cm), 2 to 3 inches wide (5 to 7.5 cm)

- Oval-shaped with serrated edges

- Year-round color retention

- **Flowers**:

- Semi-double blooms

- Soft pink petals with darker pink edges

- Sparse yellow stamens in the center

- 3 to 4 inches in diameter (7.5 to 10 cm)

- Mildly fragrant

- Bloom season: Late winter to early spring (typically January to March)

- **Light**: Partial sun (4 to 6 hours daily); tolerates light shade

- **Soil**:

- Acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5)

- Well-drained, rich in organic matter

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep soil moist but not soggy to avoid root rot

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 7 to 9 (down to 0°F or -18°C)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts butterflies; not typically deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with acid-loving plant food

- Prune lightly after flowering to shape or remove dead wood

- Thin buds to one per cluster for larger blooms (optional)

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Susceptible to aphids, spider mites, and scale

- Prone to fungal issues like root rot or leaf spot if overwatered

- **Uses**: Borders, hedges, specimen plant, or container gardening

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate (about 6 to 12 inches per year)