Sweet Shrub Calycanthus 'Venus'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sweet Shrub:
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-ee-KAN-thus
- Description
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Plant breeders at NC State University have been busy reinventing our native sweetshrub. Thanks to Dr. Tom Ranney, this white-flowered hybrid is available for Carolina gardeners to enjoy. 'Venus' is a hybrid of Calycanthus floridus (Carolina allspice), Calycanthus occidentalis (California sweetshrub) and Calycanthus chinensis.
Like our native deciduous sweetshub, this plant will grown in sun or partial shade. Due to its hyrid vigor, 'Venus' needs room to grow and in moist soil it will reach a height and spread of 5 feet. It produces dozens of ivory-colored flower buds that open almost pure white.
Although sweetshrubs are not generally considered mainstream landscape plants, hybrids like 'Venus' should become increasingly popular with gardeners. It is tolerant of damage by deer and clay soils. Use it as a specimen, in a shrub border, naturalized area or in a patio planting where its sweet floral fragrance can be enjoyed. It can also be used in a shrub border or as a foundation planting. Once you see it in flower, you'll understand why it is a showstopper!
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Calycanthus
- Family:
- Calycanthaceae
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and clay soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- White with purple and yellow center markings. Fragrant blooms period lasts from May-June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy green ovate leaves. Golden to brown fall color.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
