General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 4b -31.7 °C (-25 °F) to -28.9 °C (-20 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 5 to 6 feet
Plant Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Leaves: Good fall color
Deciduous
Fragrant
Other: leaves turn yellow in fall
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Other: Try to purchase sweetshrub when in bloom to find one with fragrance. There is variation in the amount and nature of the perfume. The flowers also seem to become more fragrant as they age.
Flower Color: Red
Flower Time: Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Late summer or early fall
Underground structures: Taproot
Uses: Windbreak or Hedge
Cut Flower
Dried Flower
Will Naturalize
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Birds
Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Toxicity: Other: Ruminants are reported to have a toxic reaction from grazing this plant. Calycanthus contains calycanthine, an alkaloid similar to strychnine, and it is toxic to humans and livestock if consumed in large quantities.
Propagation: Seeds: Sow in situ
Other info: Seed needs to be fresh. Plant right away or stratify for 60 days before planting.
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Layering
Division
Stolons and runners
Pollinators: Various insects
Containers: Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Needs repotting every 2 to 3 years
Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights: PPAF #24,014

Image
Common names
  • Sweetshrub

Photo Gallery
Location: South Carolina
Location: RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire, UK
Date: 2020-06-27
Location: Northern Illinois (Zone 5a)
Date: 2014-07-03
Location: Maine
Date: 2018-07-05
Location: RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire, UK
Date: 2020-07-25
Location: RHS Harlow Carr, Yorkshire, UK
Date: 2020-06-27
Location: Denver Botanic Gardens
Date: 2020-07-08
Location: West Jordan, Utah, United States
Date: 2021-09-14
Location: In the Myriad Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City
Date: 2006
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus 'Aphrodite') 004
Uploaded by Blankspace
Location: In the Myriad Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City
Date: 2006
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus 'Aphrodite') 002
Location: Potomac MD
Date: 2019-06-01
Location: In the Myriad Botanical Garden in Oklahoma City
Date: 2006
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus 'Aphrodite') 001

Photo Courtesy of Secret Garden Growers.
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Montreal Botanical Garden
Date: 2019-08-07
Uploaded by In2art

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners
  • Uploaded by Joy
Plant Events from our members
aspenhill On May 24, 2017 Obtained plant
Conestoga Nursery - qty 1
» Post your own event for this plant

« Add a new plant to the database

« The Plants Database Front Page