Plant Database
Spice Bush
Calycanthus Occidentalis, Western Sweetshrub, California Spicebush, Western Spicebush
Spice Bush is a remarkable native shrub that offers a multi-sensory experience throughout the seasons. Its most notable feature is its intensely aromatic nature—crushing its broad, dark green leaves releases a captivating, spicy-sweet fragrance reminiscent of cloves and fruit. In late spring to early summer, it produces unique, deep burgundy to reddish-brown flowers with thick, glossy petals that spiral inward, resembling a small, exotic water lily. These blooms emit a complex, fruity to fermented scent. A robust, multi-stemmed shrub, it provides structure, fragrance, and a touch of wild elegance to woodland edges, native gardens, and naturalized areas.
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Highly Aromatic Foliage & Flowers: All parts of the plant are fragrant. Crushed leaves emit a strong, sweet-spicy scent, while the unusual flowers offer a complex, fruity aroma.
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Unique & Ornamental Blooms: Features showy, 2-inch wide, maroon to red-brown flowers with thick, waxy petals arranged in a spiral, providing a unique visual and olfactory display.
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Native & Ecologically Valuable: A California native that provides habitat and food for local pollinators, supporting the ecosystem.
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Robust & Adaptable Habit: Forms a large, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with a spreading form, thriving in a variety of soil conditions once established.
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Low-Maintenance & Pest Resistant: Extremely hardy with no serious pest or disease problems. It is deer resistant and requires minimal care beyond occasional pruning.