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Duo Calycanthus - Anemone trees

Calycanthus
Sweetshrub, Spicebush, Carolina Allspice

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Collection contains 2 plants

  • 1 x Calycanthus Venus- Sweetshrub
  • 1 x Calycanthus floridus - Sweetshrub

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

Two different varieties of bush anemones, the first producing pretty white flowers with a purple heart, the second displaying dark red flowers with ribbon-like petals. Their unique fragrance is somewhat reminiscent of strawberries. These are two deciduous, hardy, and rather accommodating bushes in terms of soil that bloom from a young age. Perfect for adding originality to your garden.
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil type
Silty-loamy (rich and light)
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time May to June
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Collection items (2 plants)

Description

This Duo of Calycanthus brings together two varieties of deciduous shrubs prized for their original and fragrant flowering in May-June. The Calycanthus 'Venus' has a remarkable white flowering with a purple heart, while its cousin, the Calycanthus floridus, surprises with its dark red flowers reminiscent of water lilies. The flowers of these shrubs emit a surprising and sweet strawberry fragrance. With a graceful and loose habit, reaching about 2m in all directions, they can be planted as solitary specimens or in free hedges. Plant them in a sunny location, in deep, moist, rich, and well-drained soil.

This duo consists of:

1 Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Venus': this shrub produces 6cm diameter, white, and fragrant flowers. When the flower bud is fully open, a purple heart is revealed, which gives this variety its unique beauty. The plant blooms from a young age.

1 Calycanthus floridus: a species native to the United States, offering 4cm flowers with ribbon-like petals in a beautiful red-brown colour. The shrub can reach 2.50m in all directions under good conditions.

The Calycanthus is also called anemone tree because of the shape and size of its flowers, which resemble these pretty shade perennials. However, the fragrance is quite different, reminiscent of strawberries, so the English name "Strawbush" refers to this characteristic. The Calycanthus appreciates humus-rich and well-drained soil that remains moist in summer in a sunny location. Avoid somewhat chalky and dry soils. Protect it from strong and cold winds. It needs summer heat to flower and lignify. Plan to space 2 Calycanthus plants at least 1m apart, or even 1.50m.

Calycanthus can be used according to each gardener's desires and the available space. It can be used as a solitary specimen, in a free and rustic hedge, or a large bed mixing perennials and small shrubs. The fragrance and beauty of the flowers are best enjoyed near a pathway or not far from the terrace. To accompany the anemone trees in this duo, you can choose, for example, tree peonies, a pheasant bush, a golden-leaved physocarpus, or a variegated foliage Weigela.

Tip: Be careful. The seeds produced by the Calycanthus are toxic to cattle and sheep, so do not plant them in hedges near pastures.

 

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Thyrse
Fragrance slightly scented, Strawberry, mango, and pineapple fragrance with a spicy undertone.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Calycanthus

Family

Calycanthaceae

Other common names

Sweetshrub, Spicebush, Carolina Allspice

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Planting and care

The Calycanthus tolerates partial shade but thrives in full sun. Similarly, it grows in all soil types but will develop better in slightly acidic to neutral soil (it doesn't like limestone). A lightened soil enriched with good-quality compost will suit it. Feel free to pair it with your ericaceous beds, with rhododendrons, camellias, and azaleas. It can be kept in both pots and open ground; however, in pots, it will be necessary to ensure that the moisture does not stagnate and that the substrate does not dry out. Be sure to remove the suckers if you do not want it to spread too much.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Planting spacing Every 125 cm
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Acidic, Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, drained, humus-bearing

Care

Pruning instructions You don't have to prune, but you can shorten the branches by 1/4 of their length if necessary. Pruning is done at the end of winter and at the beginning of spring.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March to April
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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