Bubby Rose Bush

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Tizer88 Crockett, VA Oct 22, 2015

I have a bush my Dad calls a bubby rose. It is said that Southern ladies used to take the blooms and wipe them on their wrist and neck for perfume. It has woody limbs and small burgundy flowers, and medium tear drop shaped leaves. The blooms are round and course in texture and have narrow pieces that come out from the center, about 1" by 1". Has any one heard of one?

This message was edited Oct 22, 2015 9:59 AM

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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Oct 22, 2015

Look at Calycanthus floridus.

Our west coast version is Calycanthus occidentalis. It smells like old red wine barrels to me. If your version is similar, those ladies may have smelled like they had spent their afternoon in less than feminine pursuits.

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sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) Oct 23, 2015

yes, Bubby bush is a name for Calycanthus floridus and an old favorite in the southeast and mid atlantic. Mine smells like cantalope or strawberry depending on time of day or temperature, or something. Grows well on moist soil, but also tough on average to dry soil. It can sucker a lot on the moist location. Fall color yellow. Leaves are deciduous and spicy scented when crushed.
They say scent can vary so if you collect seeds you might not get the scent you expect.

It's not a shrub I've ever seen in a nursery. And not a true rose.

This message was edited Oct 23, 2015 8:53 AM

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DaisyPlantLady Reno, NV(Zone 6b) Oct 23, 2015

The west coast version is always found along rivers or streams. I had them in my yard in California and all that Sallyg says about them is true (except for the smell - we all agreed it was old wine barrels).

They are both natives so maybe a native plant nursery would have them listed. I just Googled them and several online nurseries are selling seeds or plants.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/550/#b

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