Calycanthus sinesis
“Chinese Sweet Shrub”
 

One of the oldest known flowering plants with fossil records dating back to 144 million years. “Chinese Wax Shrub” is related to “Carolina Allspice” (C. floridus) of the eastern U.S. This very rare species, native to Zheijang Province of Southeast Asia, makes a lovely rounded upright shrub 6’-8’ tall with extremely pretty flowers. 3” across, with white- flushed pink, thick, waxy outer petals & bright yellow inner petals, the blooms nod from branch tips from April to June. High ornamental, the glossy dark Camellia-like leaves are up to 4” across & turn yellow in the Fall. It’s deciduous & thrives in rich, humusey soil & part shade, but will probably accept full sun in coastal zones like ours.

Annie