If you’re after something a little bit more unusual, then Faye is the name of the game. Calycanthus, or Sweetshrub as it’s commonly called, is a slow-growing multi-stemmed shrub with upward arching branches that carry large oval leaves and wine-red flowers over summer. Not only do its flowers have a light scent but its bark is fragrant too. This makes it a great shrub for a warm, sheltered courtyard where the heat from the sun will warm the oils to release the aroma. Shelter is necessary for this shrub that is hardy down to around -15 degrees celsius. In colder parts of the country it may need to be wrapped up in horticultural fleece over winter if you’re worried.
Given Faye grows into a large plant and is quite hungry, we recommend repotting her into a large decorative pot rather than leaving her in her nursery pot. Either way, you’ll need to keep an eye on watering, feeding and repotting into fresh compost every couple of years, to top up those nutrients and give her more space to grow.
While it may not need regular pruning, it’s always good to check for dead, dying or diseased parts of your Calycanthus so that you can cut them out before they spread. Pruning also lets in light and air and allows you to shape your plant to your desired height, spread and structure. This is particularly good for multi-stemmed, deciduous shrubs like Calycanthus, where you can appreciate their bare stems in winter as much as their leafy or floral display in summer. If your shrub does need some attention, prune it in mid-spring just as it’s starting to warm up and growth is starting to get going again.
Did you know?
The distilled oil from Calycanthus flowers is used in perfumery - which means it must smell good!
Easy care
Most light conditions
