Plant is a member of the mint family. Prefers full sun to part shade and is intolerant of deep shade. It will grow 3-8 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide in all types of soil provided it has good drainage. Produces showy purple fruits in the fall. The leaves, when crushed, produce a chemical that can repel mosquitos, ticks, and fire ants
Wildlife value: The shrub's clusters of berries are a food source for many songbirds, including the American Robin, Brown Thrasher, Purple Finch, and Eastern Towhee. The berries are also consumed by foxes, opossum, raccoons, and squirrels. White-tailed deer are known to browse on the leaves in the summer and enjoy the fruits after leaf drops in the fall.
Note: Prune in late winter to 1 foot high as the flowers and fruits appear on new shoots. It can be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.
Edibility: While insipid (lacks flavor or taste), the berries are edible and are most often used to make jelly.