Spring's small pink blooms give way to heart-shape leaves that fill the canopy with a beautiful, coarse texture. Seedpods hold onto the branches into the fall, adding winter interest.

Blooms in late March to early May.

Flowers small, 2–8 per cluster, on stalks ¼–¾ inch long; flowers ¼–⅜ inch long, rose-purple, petals 5, in a typical pea-flower configuration.

Fruits are pods 3–4 inches long, about ½ inch wide, tapering at the ends, leathery, reddish brown; seeds several, egg-shaped, flattened, ⅛–¼ inch long. Pods often abundant, appearing September–October and persisting.

Size at maturity, to 40 feet tall; to 35 feet wide. Ours is mature.