Prefers enriched, moist, well-drained soils but adaptable; tolerates dry conditions and wet soils once established. Water deeply, regularly in first growing season to establish extensive root system. Fertilize in spring. Best stem color on young wood; to encourage bright red stems, hard prune one-third of oldest stems annually in late winter.Pruning time: late winter. prune out one-third of the oldest branches to promote growth of new red stem.