Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Friday - May 14, 2010
From: Lincolnton, NC
Region: Southeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Source of Calycanthus floridus in Lincolnton NC
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I have been trying to find a Calycanthus Floridus, I want to plant them around the house, but have had no luck. I live in Lincolnton, NC do you know of any place I can find them?ANSWER:
Calycanthus floridus (eastern sweetshrub) is shown on this USDA Plant Profile as being native to Lincoln Co. North Carolina so it should not be that much of a problem.
From Duke University, here are pictures of Eastern Sweetshrub found in North Carolina, some in the wild, some planted.
From the page on this plant in our Native Plant Database:
"Conditions Comments: Calycanthus floridus is very resistant to disease and insect problems. It has a prolific suckering habit, adapts to many soils and grows taller in shaded places. Transplanting nursery stock is tricky. Pamper after planting until new growth starts."
"Propagate by seed, but watch for slugs on recently germinated plants. Great clonal variation exists in rootability but semi-hardwood cuttings from the right plant will root.
Seed Collection: Collect in fall to early winter."
This Floridata site gives more information on propagating the plant, saying it is easily rooted from other plants. Extracted from that article: "Propagate by seeds, layers, and divisions. This shrub produces suckers in profusion. These can be easily dug and planted in a new location - at just about any time of the year provided the transplants are kept moist." So, you might find a source in friends' gardens without having to go to a nursery. Always remember, any time you take cuttings or a plant from property, whether it's in a garden or in the wild, you should get permission from the landowner of that site to do so.
As for finding a commercial source for this plant, since it is native to North Carolina, you should be able to easily find it by going to our National Suppliers Directory, typing in your town and state in the "Enter Search Location" box, and you will get a list of native plant nurseries, seed suppliers and consultants in your general area. They all have contact information and you can call or e-mail them for availability before you go shopping.
From our Native Plant Image Gallery:
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Suppliers for Lantana urticoides
March 23, 2007 - I would like to plant yellow Lantana in my beds because of the hot drought conditions we have in north central Texas. Where can I find this to plant now?
view the full question and answer
Where to find seed drill
October 15, 2009 - Hello I am a recent member. I want to conserve a 4 acre parcel with native grasses. Do you know where I can rent a small seed drill? I have heard that some conservation groups own these for rent. I wa...
view the full question and answer
Location of source for live white violets native to Virginia
March 20, 2006 - Dear Ms. Pants, I am in Austin & would like to buy a quantity of small live plants for decorative table top use in April, 2006. I need any variety of the wild woodlands-loving white violets that are n...
view the full question and answer
Source of seeds for non-native euphorbia peplus from Boynton Beach FL
March 10, 2011 - Where can I buy Euphorbia peplus? (milkweed) seeds, sap used in treating skin cancer?
view the full question and answer
SITES (or CITES) accredited source for native orchids
January 03, 2012 - Do you know of a nursery which is SITES accredited which offer North American native orchids? I grow as a hobby indoor ones as well as keep my eyes out protecting the outside native ones we have: Spir...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
