Calycanthus floridus 'Athens'
Carolina allspice 'Athens'
A rounded, deciduous, suckering shrub to around 2.7m tall with dark green, oval to elliptic, aromatic leaves up to 15cm long that turn golden-yellow in autumn. Pale yellow, fragrant flowers to 5cm across are borne at the ends of short branchlets in late spring and early summer and are followed by urn-shaped fruits
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Gold Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Calycanthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Calycanthus are deciduous shrubs with simple, aromatic leaves and solitary, fragrant flowers in summer
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Prefers moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Shelter from cold, drying winds
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering to shape and maintain size. Remove root suckers promptly to limit spread
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
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