This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: any well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: slow-growing
• Flowering period: May to June
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  'Chicago Fire' is an unusual American cultivar with narrowly oval, dark green leaves in early and mid-season, turning vivid shades of fiery red before leaf fall in autumn. A hardy and robust form, often ‘firing up’ earlier than E. alatus. Pink, four-lobed fruit, split to reveal orange seeds in autumn and corky wings on the stems provide winter interest.
  
  
• Garden care: While the plant is dormant in late-winter or early-spring remove any misplaced or crossing branches and older stems to achieve an open, permanent framework. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.