This small shrub has a single or multiple branched stems with aromatic bark and forms an irregular rounded habit. It has glossy mid to dark green oblong leaves and the magnolia-like red-brown flowers appear singularly from spring to summer.

Hardiness zones 7 to 10

Calycanthus occidentalisis naturally found in North America from the northern Coastal Range and a southern Cascade Range to Western Sierra Nevada in California growing along water courses and other wet places or on moist canyon slopes from an altitude of 200-1600m (5,000ft).

It prefers an open sunny to partially shaded protected position and grows in well-drained to wet sandy or clay soils that may be periodically inundated and is frost and moderately drought tolerant.

The Californian Allspice is a grown for its bushy habit and attractive flowers. It is planted along the borders for screening or used as a foundation plant and may be trimmed the form a compact habit. It is suitable for low-mountain regions establishing in 2-3 years and is moderately long-lived. The shrub is also planted along water courses and the flowers are used in floral arrangements. ID 3642

Calycanthus(kal-ee-KAN-thus) occidentalis (OK-see-den-TAH-lis)

Calycanthaceae (KAL-ee-kan-AY-see-ee)