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Alabama Gardening

Sweet Shrub - Calycanthus 'Venus'

16 years ago

I saw it at the Almost Eden website (they are out of stock until March). It has a 3 1/2 inch white flower with a strawberry, melon and spice fragrance. Has anyone seen it growing? Does it do well in Alabama? Do you know of a local nursery which has it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweet Shrub - Calycanthus

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Comments (10)

wipe_yo_feets
16 years ago
This isn't a definate answer, but I have seen calycanthus floridus growing wild in Etowah county, so that may indicate that it will potentialy do well in the area.

I have C. floridus growing in a pot that I got from a nursery, and it hasn't done very well. Thats probably my fault somehow though.

I haven't seen C. "Venus" in a local nursery. It sounds cool though.
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birdlady_10
16 years ago
Terry; I have it growing.It has done well in a part shade location & lean soil.It's a slow grower but was covered this year in a pale yellow fragrant blossoms.I like it.I also have "Heritge Wine" which has a large dark red blossom but not much smell.It's doing great also.Hope this helps.Jan
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You have to be careful with this one! Like Gabriell I have had no scent and bad smell Calycanthus, after spending quite a bit on them. ONLY BUY WHEN IT IS IN BLOOM! Turns out there are two different Sweet Shrub species in commerce - one is the fruity fragrant one, and one smells like old wine barrels - unfortunately that's the one I bought and it was nasty. Secondly, it turns out that if plants are cloned and cloned and cloned for several generations they can lose their scent, among other desirable qualities. And that could explain the Calycanthus with no fragrance at all - also something that happened to me. I would love to have one but twice burned...
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Ornamental flowering spring shrub, best known for its sweet light, fruity fragrance that can fill a yard. (Calycanthus floridus) Sweet Shrub is native to the Appalachian stream banks of the Smokies, where it is also known as Carolina Allspice, Strawberry Bush, Sweet Shade, and Bubby Blossom. Women used to place the flowers in their bodices as a perfume, hence the name "Bubby Blossom". Sweet shrub was once commonly found as an ornamental around colonial homes, especially south of the Mason-Dixon line. Several large bushes can fill a small yard with the combined fragrance of strawberry, cantaloupe, spiced apple, and burgundy wine. Sweet shrub has a distinctive maroon-red flower about 2" across. It is pollinated by small beetles that were the first pollinators of flowering plants and were instrumental in the evolution of flowering plants, long before bees and flies appeared on the scene. When the flower first opens it has the fragrance of spiced apples as it opens over a period of 7 to 10 days. Flowers first appear in mid-March with a flush of flowers in April, and a trailing out through May. Even the leaves are fragrant when rubbed, and in the fall they turn a sunny yellow. In colonial times the cinnamon-flavored bark was used as a seasoning. Sweet shrubs are ideal for planting close to the house near a window where the fragrance may drift indoors. Plant additional plants by a favor-ite path or sitting area. Will flower splendidly in full sun, but is best adapted to light shade. Flowers in 2 to 3 years from seed. Medicinal: Useful for damp spleen. An excellent herb for moving stagnant chi. The leaves, twigs, and buds have diaphoretic properties. An emmenagogue, and possibly has some anti-viral activity plant in fall about 2 inches in ground anyway with the history lesson over these thngs are all over the place here n ga i have hundreds of seeds and tons of the plants gotta love greenhouses they can ge grown form cuttings if you guys are haveing a hard tme finding any just shoot me a email amosmc81@yahoo.com with a self addressed stamped envalope id be more than happy to send anyone a few seeds to get them started or to trade or whtever :)
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acoma
16 years ago
I saw Calycanthus Floridus 'Athens' at Colliers Nursery in Vestavia this weekend. I understand it does well in this area but have not grown it myself.
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spider_lily
16 years ago
I have Sweet Shrub with the dark burgandy red flowers smells sooo good
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nightwind
16 years ago
I'd love to find some around Autauga or Montgomery county Al to buy. My Gram used to make sachets using them for our dresser drawers. It's been at least 40 years since I've seen any. If any one knows where I can buy them around Autauga or Montgomery county I'd appreciate knowing. Glad I found this forum! Happy Valemtines to everyone!
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tsmith2579
Original Author
16 years ago
Nightwind, I hope you read this. Be sure to set up you profile so you can receive emails theough Gardenweb. I want to say welcome to the Alabama Forum. Tell us a little bit about you.
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bettysimsstewart
15 years ago
Hello,I am from Pike county Alabama,and I remenber it growing wild,in my childhood.I use to have one at another home.They are wonderful.
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idig
15 years ago
Ohhh, I want this 'Venus'! Jan, where did you get yours? I can't tell from Almost Eden's website what size they send. Does anyone know?
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tsmith2579
Original Author
15 years ago
idig, here is the email I received from Almost Eden asking about the same thing.
----- Original Message -----
From: John McMillian Jeffm@almostedenplants.com
To: Terry Smith
Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: Question about the product Product Code: =B40038
We have more coming , maybe here March, likely 6-10" tall.
If you do not find an item, please call, or e-mail, sometimes we have a few 'strays'. We mainly ship on Mondays, by U.S. Priority Mail. You may then expect delivery in 2 to 3 days. The system we use removes items from the availability inventory, when you order. We then ship as soon as possible. Please note....The shipping charge is added into the total cost, but is shown separately for your information only. It is figured like this..$6.00 to box entire order, and then $1.95 extra for each plant..Cost to ship one + 7.95, two + 9.90. three + 11.85, etc... TIP: We have some new plants listed that can be accessed by using the ÂSearchÂ feature !! Would you like a copy of our current inventory list ?. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
Thanks & Good Growing, and have a great 2009...
John McMillian
Almost Eden jeffm@almostedenplants.com
1240 Smith Road
Merryville, La, 70653
337-375-2114
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idig
15 years ago
Thanks!
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