Raulston's Allspice Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine'
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- ×Sinocalycalycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’
- Phonetic Spelling
- kal-i-KAN-thus rawl-STOH-nee-eye
- Description
-
Raulston’s allspice is a hybrid sweet shrub in the Calycanthaceae family that was bred by Richard Hartlage an undergraduate at NC State University. It is a cross between C. chinensis and C. floridus (Chinese Sweetshrub and Carolina sweetshrub). The genus name comes from the Greek words kalyx meaning calyx and anthos meaning a flower and raulstonii is to honor J.C. Raulston, then Director of the North Carolina State Univ. Arboretum (later changed to JC Raulston Arboretum).
This deciduous shrub usually grows 8 feet tall and wide but can reach up to 15 feet. It will do best in part shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil is kept moist enough. Plant in average well-drained garden soil. Will tolerate amended sandy and clay soils but prefers fertile loamy soils. The shrub will spread by root suckers. If spread is not desired these can be removed. The flowers are sterile and do not produce viable seeds. Mulch will help retain moisture.
The deep maroon flowers are larger and showier than the parents and have a mild fragrance. They appear in spring and last into summer. Foliage is leathery green leaves that turn yellow in fall.
Use this shrub in the shrub border, as a foundation plant, along a woodland area or let in spread in a naturalized area.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Calycanthus
- Species:
- raulstonii
- Family:
- Calycanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- 3-inch deep maroon flowers have a mild scent. Individual blooms appear in late spring to early summer
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leathery green leaves have an asymmetrical base and margins with occasional and irregular teeth. Hairs are present on the undersides. They are ovate to elliptic and up to 7 inches long. The fall color is yellow.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Description:
- Stems are mildly fragrant
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
