About

Calycanthus 'Venus' is a deciduous shrub with multiple stems, reaching heights and widths of up to 3 meters. It features glossy green foliage, with leaves measuring up to 15 centimeters in length, which transition to a yellow-brown hue in autumn. From late spring through summer, this cultivar produces sizable, fragrant flowers resembling magnolias, displaying creamy-white petals adorned with yellow and purple markings at their centers.

About the genus

Calycanthus are deciduous shrubs featuring simple leaves that emit a pleasant aroma, along with solitary, fragrant blooms that appear during the summer months.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
2.5-4 metres
Spread
2.5-4 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens
Fragrance
Flower
Toxicity
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

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun to part shade and provide shelter from cold, drying winds
Pruning
Pruning group 1
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)