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Calycanthus Occidentalis [ kal - ee - KAN - thus , all right - sih - hideout - TAY - liss ] has a unmanageable name to pronounce .   Most people simply call it the American spicebush .

Other common names include :

flowering calycanthus occidentalis (spice bush)

The spicebush is a bush with dark red to purplish - chocolate-brown bloom get in the late spring or early summer .

It ’s part of the Calycanthaceae family of plants and comes from the Southwestern United States .

It ’s a popular flora , often used for hedges and border .

Calycanthus Occidentalis Care

Size and Growth

Carolina allspice is a deciduous shrub progress to up to 9′ foot tall and 9′ base across-the-board .

It has shiny greenish leaves assess up to 6″ inches long and a little over 2″ in wide .

The barque and twigs contain a potent waxy , inflammable scent , especially when the outer barque is scraped .

Flowering and Fragrance

Along with strongly scented bark , the plant has fragrant flowers . The blossom appear from former spring to early downfall .

The flowers typically reach about 3″ inches wide . The flowers are often a dark scarlet or burgundy color .

Light and Temperature

maturate the plant from full sun to fond wraith .   It can stick out closely to finish shade in cool part .

The works is winter hardy to USDA zone 6 to 9 , including its native neighborhood in the Southwestern United States .

If condition drop below freezing during the winter , apply solution mulch to protect the root arrangement .

Watering and Feeding

Established plants should not take watering , except during dry period .

Ensure the potted plant life receive logical moisture throughout the outpouring and summer .

If the top several inch of soil becomes ironic , water the plant life .

Useslow - release fertilizerin the spring to further fuller emergence of new plants .

Mature plant do n’t demand fertilizer .

Soil and Transplanting

Spicebush can abide a variety of grunge but grows best in sandy soil or rich , moist loam .

The soil should retain water while also provide undecomposed drainage .

Transplant pot plant when they outgrow their current container or every two to three years .

employ fresh land to avail prevent root rot .

Grooming

dress the flora after the last threat of frost , when pruning outdoor plant .

Prune potted plants as needed to manage ontogenesis .

Spicebush grow many suckers .

Removing the offshoots as they appear helps preclude them from taking base and producing new plants .

How to Propagate Carolina Allspice Bush

distribute spicebush using cutting , cum , or offshoots .

As mentioned , the plant life produces many offshoot , which seem near the base of the plant life .

To propagate from seeded player , gather the seed pod after the bloom .

Carolina Allspice Bush Pest or Disease Problems

Calycanthus Occidentalis does not suffer from any common insect or disease problem .

While it is mostly pest and disease free , any indoor plant may now and then suffer from wanderer mite plague .

wanderer hint are more vulgar when shape get dry , such as during the wintertime .

apply a miticide to treat the infestation before it becomes severe .

The plant also contain a potentially fatal toxin .

All parts of the works may contain calycanthine , which shares interchangeable property with strychnine .

Keep the plant away from kid , darling , and stock .

Signs of intoxication include vomit , nausea , lightheadedness , seizures , and a racing instant .

look for quick aesculapian attention if any part of the plant is ingested .

Suggested Calycanthus Occidentalis Uses

The bombastic shrub is often used to create borders or placed near foundation or other social organization cater fond shade .