Calycanthus Species, Eastern Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Spicebush, Sweet Betsy

This species is hardy to Z4.

It does well in full sun here in Boston Z6a.

The variety differs from the oth...Read Moreer variety (var. floridus) in having hairless young twigs and undersides of the leaves.

The fragrance reminds me of rotting apples. It's most strongly released by crushing/scraping the twigs and leaves.

The hybrids with C. chinensis ('Venus', 'Aphrodite', 'Hartlage Wine') are much showier, with much larger flowers. Unfortunately, they are not fragrant.

I love my calycanthus, it's probably 8 feet tall. I have had it for 2 or 3 years and it blooms almost continuously. My only complaint is ...Read Morethat I never see any birds or bees enjoying it's bounty. Too me, it's very subtly frangrant up close, but my daughter says it is fragrant to her from a distance.

Just bought an Eastern Sweetshrub and the tag said hardy to zone 5. I hope this is the case as we are in north Missouri. Will update as...Read More it becomes established.

Calycanthus fertilis SWEETSHRUB Dec (z6) (ENa,Fra)
We're solving a mystery:some books say C.fertilis is more fragrant,some say C....Read Morefloridus. Our fertilis haven't bloomed yet but soon we'll know! For now,these somewhat smlr shrubs have similar wine-colored fls.S-PS/M
(FOREST FARM)