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Tag: Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’

  • Hartlage Wine Calycanthus

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus, Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine,’ is an underused large shrub that ticks all the boxes: gorgeous blooms, long season of bloom and easy to care for.

    Where does Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub Grow?

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus will grow in full sun or shade. However, you’ll get more and larger flowers in full sun.

    Calycanthus likes average to slightly moist soil.

    How large does Hartlage Wine Calycanthus Grow?

    Hartlage Wine Calyucanthus grows 12 feet tall, with new growth extending 3 to 4 feet from the previous year.

    Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub is a fast grower; the more sun, the quicker it fills in.

    Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree (Hydrangea paniculata) with Hartlage Wine Calycanthus (Calycanthus raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine') May 15

    When does Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub Bloom?

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus blooms four to six weeks, beginning early May in USDA Hardiness Zone 6.

    The flowers are three to four inches in diameter and have a crimson-purple color that is gorgeous.

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus Flower Closeup

    The more sun Hartlage Wine Calycanthus receives, the more it blooms. In deep shade, there are still flowers.

    Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub foliage fills in through the season. By October, the leaves fill in dramatically.

    Calycanthus raulstonii Hartlage Wine - Hartlage Wine Calycanthus Fall Color Early October

    The leaves are glossy and grow quite large.

    Calycanthus raulstonii Hartlage Wine - Hartlage Wine Calycanthus Foliage

    How Do You Prune Hartlage Wine Calycanthus?

    Perform heavy pruning immediately after bloom for the best display next year. Hartlage Wine Calycanthus easily recovers from heavy pruning.

    Crossing branches and branches that grow away from the shrub should be removed. Then, reduce the overall height of the shrub by one to three feet.

    I’ve never had a bad year of bloom, except for reduced bloom and more petite flowers on plants in deep shade.

    If you’re planting Hartlage Wine Calycanthus as a naturalizing shrub, pruning isn’t necessary. After 4 to 5 years, the shrub will develop into a thicket 10 to 12 feet tall.

    Does Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub have a Fall Color?

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus has a yellow fall color.

    Calycanthus raulstonii Hartlage Wine - Hartlage Wine Calycanthus Fall Foliage

    My love for Hartlage Wine Calycanthus has only increased since making this video.

    Hartlage Wine Calycanthus is a must-have for the gardening enthusiast in USDA Hardiness Zone 6, along with Dwarf Fothergilla and PeeGee Hydrangea.

  • PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee Hydrangea Full Bloom

    PeeGee hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’) gives instant elegance to any landscape.

    PeeGee Hydrangea in Full Bloom

    PeeGee Hydrangea – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Grandiflora’

    The white, reliable blooms of PeeGee Hydrangea slowly become pink as fall progresses. Other features of PeeGee Hydrangeas include a course habit and yellowing leaves as the temperature grows colder.

    Prune PeeGee hydrangeas whenever you see fit, for they bloom on the current season’s growth.

    PeeGee Hydrangeas are there every year; no matter how cold the winter, how wet the spring, or how dry the summer.

    This is the same Hydrangea on May 15, while the picture at the top of the page is from September 8.

    Pee Gee Hydrangea Tree (Hydrangea paniculata) with Hartlage Wine Calycanthus (Calycanthus raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine') May 15

    I cut back my PG Hydrangeas heavily every winter. Last year, I removed the top three feet of the main trunk, and the plant loved it.

    Meadow Rue – Thalictrum rochebrunianum

    On the extreme left of the photo at the top of the page is a Meadow Rue that self-sowed a few years ago. I tie it to the downspout by mid-summer to prevent thunderstorms from knocking it over.

    Meadow Rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum) Growing Next to House

    Dawn Redwood – Metasequoia glyptostroboides

    At the back right of the photo, in the shadows, is a Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) planted in the early 2000s. It was 6 feet tall when planted, and now it towers over the house’s roof.

    My son learned to climb in that tree.

    Dawn Redwood makes a great gift if you know anyone with children with a large yard. The child will enjoy climbing it by the time they become a teenager.

    In front of the PeeGee Hydrangea is a bed of petunias. I planted Wave Petunias three years ago, and for the past two years, the petunias self-sowed. Last year, the flowers had more pink. However, this year, they’re showing more white.

    Petunia Grouping Self Seeding Three Years

    I enjoy creating landscapes with staggered blooms to create multi-season interest. However, if Mother Nature wants to help with some self-sown meadow rue or petunias, that’s okay too!

    I’m not sure how that post spiraled so out of control. Despite that, my work is done if you appreciate the PeeGee Hydrangea at the top of the page.