Plant of the week

CALYCANTHUS X RAULSTONII ‘HARTLAGE WINE’

ALSO called ‘spice bush’, calycanthus is native to North America and belongs to the witch-hazel family. Also called Carolina allspice, these are mid to large, summerflowering shrubs. The curiouslooking flowers are produced from late spring. On the variety C. Hartlage Wine the outer petals are dull maroon, contrasting prettily with the white-tipped flower centres. They have a distinctive, spicy fragrance, with hints of apple. This is a handsome shrub, happy in sun or semi-shade in pretty much any welldrained soil that does not bake to dry in summer. Growth is moderate and controlled by pruning.