Calycanthus Aphrodite (Calycanthus 'Aphrodite')
kal-ih-KAN-thus 'Aphrodite'

Deciduous Perennial Shrub
 

 
Available May 23
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $23.09
Available June 6
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $23.09
 
Fragrant bright red magnolia-like flowers. Scent can be described as combination of pineapple, strawberry and banana. Bark fragrant for winter fragrance.

Looking for something a little different? You've found it in 'Aphrodite' calycanthus! Covered in big, glossy leaves, this shrub explodes with enormous cupped flowers that look a bit like a deep red magnolia. They start in early summer and continue through the season - in cooler areas, like our West Michigan trial garden, they bloom all summer long. This is a quite large shrub that needs plenty of space to look its best, but if you have the room for it, there are few better ways to use it!

'Aphrodite' is a hybrid between our native Calycanthus and the Asian species, xSinocalycanthus. You're probably wondering if it's fragrant, and the answer is - it depends. The scent varies based on the age of the bloom, the time of day, and the flower itself. Some people say they smell like pineapple, others apples, others bubblegum, and some get no scent at all. Even if you never sense a whiff off this plant, its fabulous flowers are more than enough reward.

Top reasons to grow Aphrodite calycanthus:

- Big summer flowers look like a deep red magnolia

- Very long blooming

- Large, lush shrub provides lots of coverage - ideal for privacy

Highlights Fragrant Flower Continuous Bloom or Rebloomer
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 4 - 6 feet tall. 6 - 8 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Partial Shade
Moisture Tolerance Medium -
Zones 5a - 9b (Usually hardy to -20° F)
Tags Deciduous, Deer Resistant, For a Shady Spot, Fragrant, Full Sun, Good for Cut Flowers, Medium, Partial Shade, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Proven Winner Selection
Bloom Period Mid-Summer to Early Fall
Flower Color Red
 

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More Info from Experts

Calycanthus Aphrodite, in bloom
Calycanthus Aphrodite, in bloom
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!