Calycanthus chinensis

Description:
Resembling its cousin, Calycanthus floridus, in leaf and form, this species' notable feature are the camellia-magnolia like 'cup and saucer' thick waxy blooms which appear May to July. The saucer is made up of layers of pale ivory pink petals (really tepals) with an inner cluster or cup of beeswax golden yellow of curved petals. Truly unique. Lovely butter yellow fall colour. Foliage of this species tends to be more round than its North American Cousins. Mature plants reach 2-3 meters in height and sometimes over 3 meters in width. Be careful when pruning as it flowers on new wood. Blooms at a young age. Pest free and deer don't seem to bother it.

Notes:
Great for cool semi shady sites. Soft fibrous tan coloured fruit/seed capsules look like a cross between a dried fig and a sandworm from 'Dune'. All three members of this genus C. chinesis, C. floridus, and C. occidentalis will cross pollinate. There are some very interesting hybrids on the market...or you can grow these and make your own!

Cultivation:
Seeds develop a hard coat if overly dry. If so give a hot water treatment and soak 12-24 hours. Sow, barely covering seed, and tamp soil. Give 30 days cold moist stratification. Plastic cover greatly improves success. Move to warm site 15-22C. Days to germinate: 14-35. Easy way: soak in 'Skookum Grow' for 48 hours, then sow in a resealable baggie and provide warmth (20C) and some light. It starts germinating in 3-7 days. Transplant when a brownish hue on the seed root develops. Huge root system so use the appropriate sized container. Keep warm, moist (not wet) and give light. Seedling leaves look like green butterflies.