'Aphrodite' Sweetshrub

FEATURES

Looking for something a little different? You've found it in 'Aphrodite' calycanthus! Covered in big, glossy leaves, this shrub explodes with enormous cupped flowers that look a bit like a deep red magnolia. They start in early summer and continue through the season - in cooler areas, like our West Michigan trial garden, they bloom all summer long. This is a quite large shrub that needs plenty of space to look its best, but if you have the room for it, there are few better ways to use it!

'Aphrodite' is a hybrid between our native Calycanthus and the Asian species, xSinocalycanthus. You're probably wondering if it's fragrant, and the answer is - it depends. The scent varies based on the age of the bloom, the time of day, and the flower itself. Some people say they smell like pineapple, others apples, others bubblegum, and some get no scent at all. Even if you never sense a whiff off this plant, its fabulous flowers are more than enough reward.

Top reasons to grow Aphrodite calycanthus:

- Big summer flowers look like a deep red magnolia

- Very long blooming

- Large, lush shrub provides lots of coverage - ideal for privacy

Fragrant Flower
Continuous Bloom or Rebloomer

CHARACTERISTICS

Plant Type: 
 Shrub
 
Shrub Type: 
 Deciduous
 
Height Category: 
 Tall
 
Garden Height: 
 60 - 120 Inches
 
Spacing: 
 60 - 120 Inches
 
Spread: 
 60 - 120 Inches
 
Flower Colors: 
 Red
 
Foliage Colors: 
 Green
 
Foliage Shade: 
 Green
 
Habit: 
 Upright
 
Container Role: 
 Thriller

PLANT NEEDS

Light Requirement: 
 Part Sun to Sun
 
 Sun

The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

Maintenance Category: 
 Easy
Blooms On: 
 New Wood
 
 Old Wood
Bloom Time: 
 Mid Summer
 
 Late Summer
 
 Early Fall
Hardiness Zones: 
 5a5b6a6b7a7b8a8b9a9b
Water Category: 
 Average
Uses: 
 Landscape
Maintenance Notes: 
 

Adaptable to most moist well drained soils.  Prune to shape after flowering.