Calycanthus occidentalis

Calycanthus occidentalis (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Calycanthaceae

Calycanthus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm broad. Its leaves may turn yellow before they fall in autumn. Its red hermaphrodite fragrant flowers are borne solitary and up to 5cm across. Its roots produce suckers which aids its slow spread.

Calycanthus occidentalis Flower (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Calycanthus occidentalis, commonly known as the California Allspice or Western Sweetshrub, is native to south west USA. In its native habitat it grows in dappled woodland shade and river banks.

The etymological root of the binomial name Calycanthus is derived from the Greek kalyx meaning ‘a covering’ and anthos meaning ‘ flower’. Occidentalis is from the Latin meaning ‘from the west’.

The landscape architect may find Calycanthus occidentalis useful as an attractive flowering specimen shrub suitable for a dappled shade location. It may also be planted and cut as a hedge.

Calycanthus occidentalis Leaf (17/08/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Calycanthus occidentalis flowers are pollinated by small beetles.

Calycanthus occidentalis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Calycanthus occidentalis requires little maintenance.

Calycanthus chinensis

Calycanthus chinensis (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 3m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Calycanthaceae

Calycanthus chinensis Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Calycanthus chinensis is a deciduous shrub with a spreading habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are elliptic with entire margins, up to 10cm long and 5cm broad. Its leaves turn yellow before they fall in autumn. Its white/ pink tinged flowers are up to 7cm across.

Calycanthus chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Sweetshrub or Chinese Wax Shrub, is native to east China. In its native habitat it grows in dappled woodland shade. Calycanthus chinensis is synonymous with Sinocalycanthus chinensis.

Calycanthus chinensis Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Calycanthus is derived from the Greek kalyx meaning ‘a covering’ and anthos meaning ‘ flower’. Chinensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘ from China’.

The landscape architect may find Calycanthus chinensis useful as a woodland understory shrub.

Calycanthus chinensis Autumn (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Calycanthus chinensis flowers are pollinated by small beetles.

Calycanthus chinensis prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Calycanthus chinensis requires little maintenance.

Chimonanthus praecox

Chimonanthus praecox (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox is a vigorous deciduous, bushy medium sized shrub. Its glossy dark green leaves are lanceolate, up to 20cm long and 10cm broad. Its waxy, hermaphrodite, yellow flowers have purple stained centres, are cup shaped, pendant, up to 3cm across, with spirally arranged tepals, are strongly scented and appear on bare branches. Its brown fruit is an elliptic capsule and up to 2.5cm in length.

Chimonanthus praecox, commonly known as Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice, is native to China.In its native habitat it grows in mountain forests. Chimonanthus praecox is synonymous with Chimonanthus fragrans. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England 1766 when it was grown under glass for the Sixth Earl of Coventry in the conservatory at Croome Court, Worcestershire.

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ’flower’. Praecox is derived from the Latin prae meaning ‘before’ and coxi meaning ‘ripening’, i.e. early ripening.

Chimonanthus praecox Flower (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, fragrant shrub.

Ecologically, Chimonanthus praecox is attractive to pollinating insects and beetles.

Chimonanthus praecox prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

Chimonanthus praecox requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in early spring, after flowering.