Duo Calycanthus - Anemone trees

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.