Calycanthus
( kal - ik - KANTH - us )
At-A-Glance Information
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Calycanthus (commonly called Sweetshrub) shrubs are deciduous and can grow in either sun or shade. They need regular waterings. Care should be taken when planting these shrubs in your garden, as the seeds can produce convulsions if ingested. Sweetshrub should not be confused with Pimenta dioica, the plant that the culinary flavoring Allspice is harvested from. These shrubs are bulky, with lush foliage and flowers (inconspicuous and protected by reddish sepals) that are valued for their fragrance and form. Many parts of these plants are used in dried form in potpourri. They do not take well to hard pruning, so ensure that you choose a species that will fit into your yard without much controlling for size.
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Calycanthus Species and Varietals
The genus Calycanthus includes just two species of deciduous shrubs, and is a member of the family Calycanthaceae. The genus was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1759, and at the time included only one species, Calycanthus floridus. In 1762, the separate species Calycanthus praecox was added to the genus. Growing zones for Calycanthus vary by species, so please refer to the following descriptions for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice) This shrub grows best in zones 3-9 and 14-17, and is native from Virginia to Florida. Branches are stiff, and the plant reaches around 6-10 feet tall and wide. Has a suckering habit and spreads quickly. Leaves are a glossy dark green on top, greyish green underneath. Flowers are reddish brown with a strawberry-like fragrance. Blooms come in late spring or early summer, and are followed by pear-shaped seed capsules that are also fragrant when crushed. Varietal 'Athens' has yellow flowers. |
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Calycanthus occidentalis (Spicebush)
Grows well in zones 4-9 and 14-24. Native to stream banks and moist slopes in California's Coast Range and Sierra Nevada foothills. Can reach 4-12 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are bright green, and turn yellow in fall. Flowers are brownish red and look like small water lilies. Flowers and bruised leaves have the smell of old wine barrels. This species can be trained to be a multi-stemmed small tree, but is most useful in the garden as a backdrop shrub. |
Caring for and pruning Calycanthus shrubs
Calycanthus can be grown in either sunny or shaded spots in the garden, though in cold-winter areas it benefits from a sunnier location. They prefer well-draining soil, but are otherwise not picky about soil pH or composition. Calycanthus needs moderate amounts of water to perform well, and will need increased waterings during drought periods. Mulch around the base of these plants to conserve soil moisture. These shrubs do respond well to pruning in late fall or early springtime; they can be pruned to control for size, to take out suckers at the base, and to maintain a few main branches (so the plant doesn't get too tall or unruly). Calycanthus is sensitive to freezing temperatures, so if you live in an area with cooler winters, you may need to provide some protection (either planting your shrub in a pot and bringing it indoors during the colder months of the year or covering with a sheet during freezing times). If grown in a pot, Calycanthus should be repotted every two to three years to maintain health and make room for growing root systems.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate Calycanthus shrubs is by separating and transplanting volunteer plants grown through suckers at the bottom of an existing plant. Simply dig up your chosen sucker and replant it elsewhere in the garden in springtime. These plants can also be propagated via cutting. Your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, and it is a relatively simple process. Follow the steps listed below to propagate your Calycanthus through cutting.
Propagating Calycanthus by Cutting
Propagating Calycanthus by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
- In summertime (July is one of the best months for this), before the plant has had time to harden its current season's growth, choose your plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off all of the lower leaves, leaving the top two on the cutting. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in cool, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant your Calycanthus to its new home.
Problems and Pests
Calycanthus shrubs are susceptible to the following pests and diseases:
- Bacterial Crown Gall
- Powdery Mildew
Gallery
Calycanthus floridus 'Athens' has yellow flowers.
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Calycanthus shrubs are good candidates for softening the look of outdoor structures and fences.
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Plant Calycanthus near windows and walkways, so their fragrance can be enjoyed close-up.
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Videos
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All about Calycanthus.
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Pruning tips for Calycanthus shrubs.
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How to identify a Calycanthus shrub.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 214, Calycanthus
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