Hedge in wet sites, pond borders. Good for a small thicket. Grow as a small tree or large shrub.

Each stem has soft, fleshy green flanges running longitudinally down its length. When winter weather brings ice, the stems exude water that freezes into fascinating shapes, hence its common name frostweed. Background plant in a wildflower garden. Also useful as a mass planting along a forest edge. This plant is best used in informal settings and does well if allowed to naturalize.

The wood is noted as being very strong, hence the common name "ironwood" Does not do well much south of its natural range. Small specimen tree. Also good as an understory tree. While rarely grown, this plant is very worth of use in the landscape.