Calycanthus floridus 'Michael Lindsay'
Carolina allspice 'Michael Lindsay'
A bushy and sometimes suckering deciduous shrub to around 3m high, with oval-shaped, glossy green leaves. Sweetly scented dark red flowers with narrow strappy petals are borne at the ends of short branchlets in late spring or early summer, followed by urn-shaped seed capsules. Leaves turn bright orange and yellow in autumn
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow Orange | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Calycanthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- 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
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, will tolerate light shade but foliage colour and flowering are best in full sun. May suffer from frost damage in very cold winters
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer, by layering in autumn, or by division, removing suckers in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Prune immediately after flowering to shape and maintain size. Remove root suckers promptly
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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