Content
Calicanthus is an ornamental plant used in landscape design. The shrub is native to the northern part of the USA. There it is known by another name - “Jamaican pepper”. Thanks to its amazing flowers and pleasant aroma, the culture has spread throughout the globe.
Description of the calicanthus shrub with photo
The plant grows up to 3.5 m. It has a branched crown, which has an asymmetrical appearance. A pleasant medicinal aroma emanates from the flowers and wood. Calicantha is somewhat reminiscent of camphor with a slight hint of pepper - hence the Western version of the name.
Most of all plantings are concentrated in two American states - Virginia and Florida.
People in the United States use every part of the culture. Even the roots have been used in cooking; they also emit a smell. Oval-shaped leaves are scattered on the shoots, their ends are pointed. Young foliage has fibers that disappear as they grow.
At the beginning of summer, buds bloom in the upper part of the bush
Petals can be red, burgundy, pink, beige, cream or completely white. Calicanthus is a plant that blooms for three months. The end of the period occurs in September, the most magnificent flowers appear at the end of June.
As a result of pollination, tiny fruits ripen on the branches. They are of no value to humans; they are considered only as a method of reproduction.
Varieties
Calicanthus is a genus of plants. It includes several species that have their own unique characteristics.
Calicanthus blooming
One of the most numerous species. Reaches up to 2 m in height, has glossy leaves and dark red flowers. Externally, you can notice the resemblance to magnolia. Flowering calicanthus is actively grown in the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Perm, the Caucasus, the USA, Italy, Korea and even China.
In absolute shade the plant will never bloom.
The plant has a very characteristic smell. Some gardeners compare it to spices, others to fruits. Depending on the growing conditions, the aroma may contain an admixture of cinnamon, strawberries, pear or pineapple. The smell of calicanthus is so strong that in summer it can be felt at a distance of 5 m.
In America, the variety was nicknamed “sweet bush”. Perfume products are still created from flowers; production is mainly carried out by Italians.
Flowering calicanthus includes several varieties - Athens and Purpureus. The first one begins to bloom in late spring.Characterized by a pleasant tropical aroma. The second can be distinguished by its slow pace of development. It has large, rough leaves that are light brown in color. By September it becomes brighter.
Calicanthus prolific
A shrub with a dense crown, grows up to 3 m. If a gardener does not like strong-smelling plants, it is better to purchase this species. The flowers emit almost no scent. Petals can be dark purple, red or burgundy. The buds reach 6 cm in diameter.
The prolific species has large fruits, so in natural conditions it reproduces at a high speed
Chinese calicant
A medium-sized species with a branched crown, the flowers do not emit fragrance. Calicanthus can be white, red or light pink. The petals have dark red stripes. Flowering begins in the last ten days of May.
The plant is better suited than others for planting at home.
Western Calicant
A relatively winter-hardy variety, calicanthus can withstand temperatures down to -24 °C. The branches are olive-colored, the foliage has slight pubescence. The plant is notable for its large leaf blades, growing up to 22 cm in length, this is the largest species.
Calicanthus leaves should not be irrigated, as they may become burnt.
Planting calicanth
Seedlings are purchased in containers - this way there is a greater chance that they will not be damaged during transportation. Calicanthus prefers sunny areas, which must be kept in mind when planting. Strong winds can reduce the plant's immunity. It is advisable to eliminate their influence before starting work.
The planting hole should be wider than the lump contained with the seedling in the container. Compost is added to the soil and then mixed thoroughly. After preparing the hole, the calicanthus is removed from the container and placed exactly in the center of the hole. The depth is selected identical.
The earth is distributed evenly over the entire area, and there should be no voids left. All rubbish - sticks, stones, plastic - must be thrown away. To keep the moisture longer, a tree trunk circle is formed next to the calicanthus.
After planting, the soil must be well moistened
Calicanthus care
The culture is not very demanding. The owner needs to monitor regular watering, especially during the hot season. To make the calicanthus endure summer more easily, the tree trunk area is mulched with straw or leaf sawdust.
To save the plant's strength, pruning can be done after flowering.
In April, the bush is fertilized with mineral supplements. Any complex feeding will do. For one calicant, 25 g of the substance is enough.
Pruning is carried out every year. Some do this in the spring, others in the fall. There are no preferences here – you can do it whenever it’s more convenient.
During the work, frozen and dry branches are removed from the calicanthus.
In Russia, calicanthus requires shelter for the winter. To do this, the bush is bent to the ground and covered with agrofibre on top. If severe frosts are expected, you can supplement the structure with autumn foliage or spruce branches. In spring, the shelter is loosened or completely removed.
Reproduction
If the calicantha variety is not a hybrid, it can be propagated in three ways.Gardeners grow the plant using cuttings, seeds and layering. Regardless of the method, the plant will form flowers only in the fourth year.
Cuttings
Planting material is selected during pruning. Young, semi-lignified branches are used for propagation. Sections are made using a knife or pruning shears; the instrument must be sterile. The cuttings are placed in Kornevin's solution, where they should remain for 24 hours. Then they are planted in open ground or a pot.
For normal growth, the plant requires temperatures above 15 ° C
Calicanthus from seeds at home
The seeds of the plant are hard, which can make it difficult for them to germinate, so they are scarified. Planting material is immersed in water at room temperature and kept for two days. When growing at home, the material is planted directly into the pot.
Some types of plants categorically do not tolerate propagation by layering, so they have to be grown using seeds
Using layering
Gardeners usually propagate calicanthus by layering. To do this, in March-April, a hole is dug near the bush; it should be about 5 cm. The shoot of the plant is bent, and a heavy object, for example, a brick, is placed on top. Layers need plenty of moisture. In August they can be planted in a permanent place.
Layerings produce good bushes with a 95% probability
Diseases and pests
Calicantha has a good immune system that protects it from most diseases. Particular attention should be paid to moisture stagnation. Accumulated liquid can cause rotting of the root system. Therefore, if the soil is dense enough, drainage is formed before planting.
Pests hardly bother the plant.
When aphids and caterpillars spread, the bush is treated with broad-spectrum insecticides, for example, Aktara
Photos in landscape design
The plant looks great near verandas and fences
Calicanthus flowers from a distance resemble raspberries, but, unlike the latter, they are poisonous
The plant is sensitive to the surrounding air, so planting calicanth in urban areas is not advisable
Conclusion
Calicanthus is an amazing plant that has spread across many countries. Some species have a very strong aroma, while others have none. The bark of the shrub is used in cooking as a flavoring.
Reviews of the calicanthus bush
