Calycanthus occidentalis

Also known as Californian allspice for its spicily-aromatic leaves, this handsome medium-large shrub (6-12') has a dense, multi-stemmed, thicket-forming habit and unusual, showy, maroon-red flowers; found growing in moist shady canyons and along steams primarily in California; this shrub has long been a garden favorite, like its sister the C. floridus or Carolina allspice. S-PSh/M

Deciduous shrub, 8-10 ft tall, native to the mountains of central and northern California. Fancy red-maroon flowers appear late spring to late summer Lovely and slightly aromatic though the leaves and twigs are the truly spicy element. Prefers sun; accepts part shade. Likes well-drained soil and moisture. Somewhat deer resistant. Frost hardy to the single digits F, upper USDA zone 7.

Hardy to 5 °F, native of California near mountain streams and hill sides below 1,000 ft. elevation. Glossy dark green leaves and flowers of bright red, in contrast to the burgundy flowers of C. floridus.

This deciduous shrub to multi-stemmed small tree grows to 8' tall and 8' wide in an erect, dense, rounded form. This plant is a moderate to fast grower and provides good erosion control and soil binding ability when planted along stream banks. Grows taller with ample water. Spicebush is named for its fragrant leaves. The 2-3'', maroon flower blooms continuously from April to August. Plant alongside Douglas Iris, giant chain fern, and foothill sedge. Good wildlife plant- birds love the seeds. Endemic to California Good wildlife plant- birds love the seeds and provides good erosion control and soil binding ability when planted along stream banks. The Pomo and Kashaya used the bark to treat severe chest colds. Found in banks of streams, ponds and other wet place. Communitites located in Foothill Woodland, Yellow Pine Forest, wetland-riparian Between 0 and 4000 feet.

A deciduous shrub to 12' with an 8' spread. The bark is aromatic and the fragrant leaves turn a warm yellow in the fall. Reddish-brown flowers resembling small water lilies, 2" across, appear from April to August. Flowers smell like an aged wine barrel. Grows in full sun with some light shade in warm climates. Plant in deep, moist, humus-rich soil with moderate to occasional water. A tough, trouble-free native deserving of greater use in California gardens. Hardy to 0F. California.

Blooms: summer, red/ deciduous, yellow fall color, spicy fragrance when crushed. Zone 7-9. 5'-10', PNW, part shade-shade, moist, well drained

Where Most Spice Bush blooms are sort of Burgundy, C. occidentalis actually has red blooms 1-2" across with numerous long, thin sepals and petals and a sweet fragrance! Not as hard as some but the blooms are fabulous if you're in an area that's not terribly cold.

Deciduous shrub 8' tall and wide with large magnolia-like dusky red flowers in summer. Always elicits oohs and aahs. Long-blooming; profusely blooming; eager to please - happy in sun or part shade and not particular about soil.