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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 :

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 .