Or in other words, a variegated form of Japanese knotweed. Japanese knotweed, Polygonum cuspidatum/Fallopia japonica, is a virulent spreader, considered by many to be an invasive pest equal to kudzu and equally as difficult to control. The variegated form is only slightly less aggressive, as the photos clearly indicate, spreading by both seeds and underground rhizomes. And it is not a shrub but a herbaceous perennial, dying back each winter but appearing again 3-4 times larger the following spring. Tell your coworker this is not a plant to let loose in the garden :-) If they must have it, container it and deadhead faithfully. Here is a link that might be useful: Fallopia japonica

Is it consistently redder than 'Maggie'? That is to say, beside it 'Maggie' would look decidedly pinkish purple by comparison? And if so, are the serrations on the edge of the leaves more prominent on this one than on Maggie? If so, you may have Gruss an Teplitz.

imagardener2 and juneroses Thanks for the fast response. I have wondered what this bush was for several years. Now that it has started blooming it is really an attention getter. Mine is more like a bush with multiple branches but is now probably 12 foot tall and covered with blooms. I don't see that many sulfer butterflys on it but there is an Iguana living in mine. Go figure. Only in South Florida.

I REALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH YOUR SITUATION BECAUSE MY YARD GETS MOSTLY SHADE AND I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH WITH THAT THORNY VINE WEED IN YOUR GARDENS. THAT WEED IS HEINOUS! IT IS PROBABLY SOME KIND OF NETTLE. EVENTHOUGH I WORK AT A NURSERY, I WOULD NOT CONSIDER MYSSELF AN EXPERT, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE SOME USEFUL EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE. DO NOT USE ROUND-UP TO KILL ANY WEEDS AROUND GRASS OR OTHER PLANTS THAT YOU WISH TO SURVIVE. ROUNDUP IS A GREAT TOOL; HOWEVER, IT KILLS EVERYTHING. IT IS MEANT MORE FOR WEEDS POPPING UP BETWEEN CRACKS IN CEMENT, CONCRETE, ECT. YOU WOULD WANT TO USE SOMETHING LIKE A BRUSH-B-GON BY BAYER OR A WEED KILLER THAT ONLY KILLS VINES, WOODY WEEDS, AND BRUSH--NOT THE PLANT OR THE LAWN. AS FAR AS YOUR SOIL---ANYTHING YOU PLANT DIRECTLY IN YOUR SOIL, YOU WOULD WANT TO ADD SOME KIND OF A COMPOST---PREFERABLE A PLANTING MIX WITH A LEAF COMPOST, PEAT MOSS AND OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUND MIXTURE---- AND MIX THAT 50/50 WITH THE EXISTING SOIL. THIS WILL AMEND THE EXISTING SOIL AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDE A GREAT PLANTING MEDIUM. ALSO, A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE A MISTAKE WITH THE FERTILIZER. PLANTS SUCH AS HOLLIES, AZALEAS, PHODODENDRONS, CAMELIAS,EVERGREENS, ETC. ARE ACID-LOVING---SO THEY LIKE A FERTILIZER SUCH AS HOLLYTONE OR MIRACID. I SUGGEST HOLLYTONE BECAUSE IT IS GRANULAR AND SLOW-RELEASE. MIRACID IS JUST AS EFFECTIVE; BUT YOU HAVE TO RE-APPLY IT EVERY THREE TO FOUR WEEKS. HOLLYTONE FFEDS UP TO THREE MONTHS. I SUGGEST OSMOCOTE FOR AN ALL-PURPOSE FERTILIZER. THEY HAVE AN OUTDOOR/INDOOR VARIETY AND A VEGETABLE/BEDDING VARIETY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD SUCCESS WITH BOTH, DEPENDING ON WHAT I AM PLANTING. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY PLANTING!