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Calycanthus 'Venus'

Phonetic Spelling
kal-ee-KAN-thus
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#white flowers#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#deer resistant#nci#foundation planting#large flowers#naturalizes#cutting garden#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#compact habit#sweet fragrance#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#white flowers#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#deer resistant#nci#foundation planting#large flowers#naturalizes#cutting garden#naturalized area#flowers midsummer#flowers early summer#compact habit#sweet fragrance#patio
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer