Calycanthus Sweetshrub

Venus' Sweetshrub

A fragrant, deciduous shrub valued for its richly scented spring flowers, lush foliage, and reliable native performance. Maroon to reddish-brown, strap-petaled flowers appear in mid to late spring, releasing a distinctive sweet, fruity fragrance. Glossy green leaves provide a bold texture through summer and turn golden yellow in fall.

Growth is upright to rounded, forming a dense, multi-stemmed shrub well suited to naturalized and mixed plantings.

Growing Conditions



Light: Full sun to part shade (best flowering in part sun)



Soil: Moist, well-drained; adaptable to a wide range of soil types



Water: Average; prefers consistent moisture



Shape: Upright to rounded, multi-stemmed habit



Cold Hardiness: Excellent winter tolerance



Hardiness



USDA Zones: 4a–9b



Mature Size



Width: 6–10 ft



Height: 6–10 ft



Features



Highly fragrant spring flowers



Native shrub with good adaptability



Glossy foliage with fall color



Dense, rounded form



Landscape Uses



Mixed shrub borders



Woodland edges and native gardens



Foundation plantings



Informal hedges and screens



Why Growers Choose It



Unique, spicy-sweet fragrance



Reliable flowering with minimal care



Excellent native alternative to non-native shrubs

Plant type

Deciduous Shrub

Height

6-9'

Width

6-10'

Hardiness zones

4–9

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Spring

Leaf color

Dark Green

Fall color

Yellow

Soil

Moist well-drained

Landscape use

Foundation Plant

Shape

Clump, Rounded, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No