Calycanthus 'Venus' is a Sweetshrub cultivar derived from a sophisticated hybridisation using controlled pollination of the three related species: Calycanthus floridus, Calycanthus occidentalis and Calycanthus chinensis (Syn: Sinocalycanthus chinensis). The resultant plant is a show-stopper! Throughout the growing season it bears exquisite, fragrant, white magnolia-like flowers with tepals arranged in an open spiral around a central eye that is dark crimson-purple. The foliage is showy and large and elliptic-ovate in shape.

Calycanthus 'Venus' grows to a medium to large shrub and will attract admiration and plant-envy from your more discerning friends. It prefers a fertile, slightly acidic loam-based substrate that is well-drained but moist enough during the summer months. It does best in dappled shade.

The Calycanthaceae are magnoliids that developed early in the evolution of angiosperms and are pollinated predominently by beetles attracted by their strongly aromatic alkaloid compounds.