'Helmond Pillar' is an upright, columnar form which typically grows somewhat slowly to 4-5' tall and only 1-2' wide. It is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub which features reddish-purple, variably sized leaves (1/2" to 1 1/4" long) on reddish brown stems which have sharp thorns. Tiny, yellowish flowers appear in small clusters along the stems from late April to early May, but are often hidden by the foliage and are not overly showy. Glossy, bright red berries form in the fall and often persist well into winter. Good red fall foliage color.