Rhodiola rhodantha can reach a height of about 45 centimetres (18 in). These plants have small, lanceolate and succulent leaves without petiole. They are green at the bottom of the plant whereas at the top they are reddish. The flowers are hermaphrodite, may be rose or reddish and form an inflorescence.
While your Sweet Pea Shrub is establishing, it'll appreciate regular watering, especially through the summer months. You should make sure the soil doesn't dry out. Once the shrub is established, it's surprisingly drought-tolerant, although it won't perform as well and could die if the roots are allowed to dry out completely
Full sun or lightly dappled positions are best for the Sweet Pea Shrub. This will ensure they flower the most abundantly. If they get too much shade, they can become overly-leggy, and you won't see so many blooms.
Sweet Pea Shrubs can tolerate a wide variety of soil types, but their preference is for a well-drained, fertile soil that is rich in organic matter. They won't, however, appreciate an overly-wet and heavy soil.
Because this shrub can become rather leggy, pruning in early spring will help to ensure it keeps a compact and tidy shape. It will prevent too much bare trunk and sparsely blooming lower stems from developing and encourage abundant flowering.
For best results, Sweet Pea Shrubs are best grown in warm, frost-free climates. They are, however, surprisingly winter hardy and can still survive when temperatures drop for a short period as low as 20° F.
