Variation
var. laevigatus
This vigorous suckering shrub tends to be taller growing up to 2 m (6 ft) with larger broad dark green leaves to 76 mm (3in) long. It produces small white bell-shaped flowers in spikes with up to 16 blooms and appear during late spring and are followed by small 12 mm (1 in) diameter fruit that persists on the plant into winter.

Cultivars
'Constance Spry'
This multi-stemmed suckering shrub grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall and wide with dark green foliage and small white bell-shaped flowers appear during late spring. It produces large white fruit that persists on the plant to mid winter and is commonly used in garden borders or as a specimen in domestic gardens. It will grow in an open sunny to heavy shaded protected position and tolerates most soil types.

'Scarlet Pearl'
This multi-stemmed suckering shrub grows to 1.5 m (5 ft) tall and wide with a slender arching stems, forming a bushy spreading habit. It has dark green foliage and produces small, creamy white bell-shaped flowers during early summer followed by hot pink berries from early autumn to late winter.

It will tolerate an open sunny to heavy shaded position and is pH adaptable in dry or moist soils. This hardy bird attracting shrub is commonly used in mass plantings or along garden borders and can naturalised in woodland setting.

'Turesson'
This shrub is similar to the species but has drooping branches and produces petite white berries from early autumn to mid winter. It grows in most well drained soils and prefers an open sunny position for best fruit production but will tolerate shaded positions. It is planted in small gardens along borders or used in tubs and planter boxes. It is commonly cultivated in the UK but may be difficult to obtain in Australia.

'Variegatus'
This slow-growing shrub attains a height of 1.2 m (4ft) and produces small oval dark green leaves with white margins. It is used for colour contrast in low shrub borders or can be grown in containers. It prefers an open sunny position and may revert to green foliage in shaded positions.