Chinese Sweetshrub (Calycanthus Chinensis)

Chinese Sweetshrub

Features and Characteristics

Calycanthus chinensis, commonly called allspice, is native to China and is closely related to U.S. native Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus). It is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that grows 5-10’ tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. Camellia-like flowers (to 4” diameter) with blush-pink to white outer tepals, yellow inner tepals with maroon markings and a mounded ring of yellow stamens bloom near the shoot ends for a month or more in mid to late spring. Unlike Carolina allspice, its flowers have no fragrance. Glossy, medium green leaves (to 6” long) turn yellow in fall.

Synonomous with Sinocalycanthus chinensis.

Genus name comes from the Greek words kalyx meaning calyx and anthos meaning a flower.

Specific epithet means Chinese.

Care and Maintenance

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers rich, acidic loams. Avoid alkaline soils. Do not allow soils to dry out. May not be reliably winter hardy in the St. Louis area where it should be sited in a protected location.

Chinese Sweetshrub (Calycanthus Chinensis) Requirements

Hardiness zone	6 - 8
Sun light	Full Sun To Part Shade
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium

Common Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Uses

Specimen or group in shrub borders or wild areas.

Chinese Sweetshrub (Calycanthus Chinensis) Details

Common name	Chinese Sweetshrub
Botanical name	Calycanthus Chinensis
Plant type	Deciduous Shrub
Family	Calycanthaceae
Hardiness zone	6 - 8
Water	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Flower color	Pinkish-White
Flowering period	April - June
Height	5 - 10 Ft.
Width	5 - 10 Ft.