Description
Calycanthus – Allspice –
There are about 6 species of deciduous shrubs, in this genus. They occur from woodland and streambanks in North America and Eastern Asia. They are grown for their unusual, fragrant flowers, which have narrowly unusual, fragrant flowers, which have many narrowly lance shaped to elliptic petals and sepals, and resemble tiny waterlilies, borne in spring and summer and are carried solitary on current years shoots. The opposite, elliptical dark green leaves, 2-8″ long, has a camphor or clove scent when crushed. Grow in a shrub border or as specimen plants.
Grow in fertile, cool moist, humus rich soil in sun or in warm climates, in partial shade.]
Prone to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, and dieback.
C. occidentalis – California Allspice – Spice Bush – This vigorous, spreading shrub from North California grows 12′ feet tall and wide. It produces ovate to oblong-lance shaped, dark green leaves, to 8″ long, rough above and sometimes turning yellow in autumn. In summer it bears dark red flowers 2-3″ across, with linear, brown tipped petals.
Zones 7-10
