Habitat

• coastal plain of the southeastern United States
• zone 5

Habit and Form

• a deciduous shrub
• 4' to 7' tall
• typically broader than tall
• upright spreading to irregular branching
• in full sun it is dense and rounded
• in shade it is more loose, open and irregular

Summer Foliage

• opposite leaf arrangement
• 2" to 5" long
• ovate to elliptical with acute tip
• dark green color
• fragrant when crushed

Autumn Foliage

• can be yellow green
• usually nothing to write home about

Flowers

• blooms May through July
• flowers a dark, chocolate brown to maroon
• up to 2" across
• comprised of numerous tepals
• not as showy in bloom as one might expect
• spicy fragrance, especially in the evening

Fruit

• balloon or urn-shaped, tan capsules
• persist into winter after ripening in October
• about 2" to 3" long
• wrinkled surface

Bark

• glabrous twigs
• gray brown color

Culture

• full sun is best, but tolerant of partial shade
• likes moist, rich soils best
• soil pH adaptable
• prune after flowering
• may need renewal pruning if it becomes leggy

Landscape Use

• specimen
• shrub border
• woods edge
• foundation plant
• for aromatic flowers

Liabilities

• a favorite target of rabbits
• can become leggy in shade
• generally insect and disease free

ID Features

• foliage aromatic when crushed
• maroon, multi-tepal flowers in summer
• fragrant flowers
• persistent urn-shaped fruits; distinctive
• buds are densely brown-hairy and surrounded by shelf-like leaf scars

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Athens' - Unusual form with flowers that are yellow and very fragrant. Flowers may be produced after initial late spring flush, often into mid-summer. Habit is dense and mounded (to 6' tall), with glossy leaves. A handsome form that has been well-received by horticulturists.

'Edith Wilder' - Flowers are reddish-brown and very fragrant. Leaves are more rounded than typical. Fall color is a reasonably good yellow. Grows larger (10' tall) than typical for the species.

'Michael Lindsey' - Very fragrant red-brown flowers. Habit is dense, compact and rounded (6' to 10' tall). Excellent shiny, dark green foliage and golden yellow fall color. Considered the finest red-flowered form.