JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Family
Calycanthaceae
Botanical Name
Calycanthus chinensis
Plant Common Name
Chinese Sweetshrub
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Lustrous, glossy green leaves and white blossoms with flecks of maroon make Chinese sweetshrub a lovely plant for the mixed border. A spreading shrub that is deciduous, it is native to moist mountain streambanks in eastern China. The leaves are oblong ovals, glossy mid- to dark green in color and with irregular edges. In spring or summer, depending on warmth of the climate, small, plump, wide strap-like petaled flowers arise from stem tips. They are white to palest pink in color, with inner petals more creamy with flecks of dark red. There is no fragrance to these blooms. In fall the leaves turn yellow.
Grow Chinese sweetshrub in moist, average garden soils, avoiding highly alkaline or consistently dry areas. It is tolerant of seasonally soggy soils. Partial sun is ideal; too much sun without adequate soil moisture will cause leaves to brown, while too much shade reduces flowering and makes the shrub's branches clamber and become more vine-like. This is a lovely shrub to incorporate into a woodland setting or mixed shrub border, ideally in the background. A collection of plants can readily make a nice screen, too.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 5
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Width
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
