JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
Family
Calycanthaceae
Botanical Name
Calycanthus occidentalis
Plant Common Name
Western Sweetshrub
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Lustrous, glossy green leaves and fragrant, dark red blossoms make western sweetshrub a lovely plant for the mixed border. A fast growing spreading shrub that is deciduous, it is native to the moist valleys and streambanks in Washington and California's coastal mountains, as well as the western Sierra Nevadas. The leaves are oblong ovals, glossy mid- to dark green in color and with a slightly roughened texture on the upper surface. In spring or summer, depending on warmth of the climate, small, plump, wide strap-like petaled flowers arise from stem tips. They are red to dark red in color, often with brown tips, and emit an earthy, wine-like scent (as do the leaves if crushed).
Grow western 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
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
5'-10' / 1.5m - 3.0m
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Width
6'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
United States, Northwestern United States, California
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Dark Red, Brown
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Chocolate
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Semi-Double
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
