Calycanthus chinensis (Chinese Sweetshrub)

Calycanthus chinensis (Chinese Sweetshrub) is a large, upright-rounded, densely branched, deciduous shrub boasting white, sometimes tinged pink, nodding flowers, 3 in. across (7 cm), from mid-late spring to early summer. Resembling camellia blossoms, each cup-shaped flower features white overlapping outer tepals, smaller pale yellow inner tepals with maroon markings and a ring of yellow stamens. Blooming for about a month at the ends of short branchlets, the flowers have no fragrance unlike Calycanthus occidentalis (Carolina allspice). The lush and lustrous foliage of large, broadly elliptical, medium green leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), turns a soft yellow in fall.

• Grows up to 5-10 ft. tall and wide (150-300 cm).
• A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is best grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, drying winds.
• Perfect as a specimen plant or in shrub borders, foundation plantings, woodlands.
• No serious insect or disease problems.
• No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots.
• Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn or root softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer with bottom heat.
• Native to China.