'Whit III' , commonly sold in commerce under the name of PINK VELOUR, features terminal crepe-papery magenta-pink flowers from mid-summer to frost on upright branches rising to 8-12' tall. Thick and leathery leaves emerge burgundy red in spring, mature to purplish green by summer and finally turn orange-brown in fall. Grayish-brown bark on mature branches exfoliates with age. Flowers give way to round seed capsules which often persist well into winter.