Flowers are deep purple . The tree is slow growing and probably will be a small tree. The plant is unique because it produces flower buds up and down the stem before it does leaf buds. Consequently it starts to flower in march and continues to flower all season until the first killing frost in the autumn. Sterile sead cones stand upright like candels. ( liliiflora x ylindrica) x M.'Pickard's Ruby', Kehr, USA