‘Aphrodite’ beckons you to her side as magnificent, 4 inch wide, Magnolia-style dark red blooms unfurl with a fruity fragrance. Showcasing lambent golden-yellow fall colors, the lustrous dark green deciduous foliage cloaks a comely multi-stemmed habit. The leaves, seed pods and bark— all waft an alluring spicy scent when crushed. Perfect for cut arrangements, this floriferous compact shrub can be massed along woodland peripheries and house foundations, or staged as a long-blooming specimen near a patio, walkway or favorite bench. Calycanthus appreciates good drainage, adequately moist, humus-enriched soil and protection from cold drying winds. Easy-care Sweetshrub abides deer, shady niches and a variety of soil types, including clay. (PP#24,014)

Blooms May–July

Size: 5' 0" – 8' 0" high x 5' 0" – 6' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.

The crown jewel of Dr. Tom Rainey’s breeding efforts at North Carolina State University, this undeniably beautiful hybrid is a complex one, involving Calycanthus chinensis, Calycanthus floridus and Calycanthus occidentalis. Spreading branches draped in large, lustrous dark green deciduous leaves, which flash golden-yellow hues for fall, shape a medium-sized foundation. Distinguished by a central infusion of yellow and purple markings plus a divine spicy fragrance, evoking strawberries and melons, the exquisite, 4 in. wide Magnolia-like ivory blooms unfurl from big creamy-yellow buds primarily in the spring, and then sporadically throughout the growing season. ‘Venus’ can pose amongst other shrubs or serve as a beckoning sentinel near your front door; well-drained soil and ample light will ensure her vitality. (pp#15,925)

Blooms May–July

Size: 5' 0" – 6' 0" high x 5' 0" – 6' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 5.