Calycanthus hybridus ‘Venus’ 25/8 Restock each flushed at the heart

each flushed at the heart with maroon

and edged crisply in white

which is the real gift

but the plant can still sucker and spread

taking on a cool grayish-blue cast before the petals drop

Calycanthus hybridus ‘Venus’ 25/8 Restock each flushed at the heartCalycanthus 'Venus' is a white flowered sweetshrub bred by Dr. Tom Ranney at North Carolina State University, drawing on three species at once: the Eastern Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus), the California sweetshrub (Calycanthus occidentalis), and the Chinese sweetshrub (Calycanthus chinensis, long known as Sinocalycanthus). The result is a deciduous shrub that carries the best of all three: hardiness, substance, and an unusual flower. Plump,