The shiny green leaves, gently fragrant flowers and glossy berries make this a charming plant. Can occasionally be subject to defoliation by the moth larvae, but these are an excellent food source for birds and their nestlings, and the fiddlewood regenerates quickly. Wonderful in a mixed hedge, can be sheared to desired height, but the flowers and berries are too good to be missed. Excellent specimen plant. This plant is naturally multi-stemmed; to form a tree, the stems must be continually reduced to one until a trunk is formed.

There are two varies in Florida:  Polygonum polygamum var. polygamum and  Polygonum polygamum  var. brachystachyum Dry, sunny wildflower garden.

In full sun areas, this plant will become close to dormant in the summer. Cutting back dried out foliage will stimulate new growth in the Fall. Endemic to peninsular Florida. Wildflower gardens in piney areas.

Moist wildflower garden or butterfly garden. Edges of water features. Will spread to form large patches.