Calycanthus Hartlage Wine 20 Litre 100/120cm September Delivery

Calycanthus 'Hartlage Wine' – Bold Burgundy Blooms with Irresistible Fragrance

Calycanthus × raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' is a showstopping deciduous shrub that brings genuine drama to the garden with its large, deep wine-red flowers and sweet, fruity scent. A hybrid of exceptional vigour, it produces an impressive succession of exotic-looking blooms from late spring right through to autumn – a flowering season that outpaces most other ornamental shrubs. Each flower is a bold, multi-petalled affair in rich burgundy, carried against a backdrop of broad, glossy, dark green leaves that give the whole plant a lush, healthy presence throughout the growing season.

The overall habit is rounded and well-branched, building into a substantial, free-standing shrub that commands attention as a specimen while sitting equally comfortably within a mixed border. In autumn, the foliage softens to warm golden tones before falling, extending the plant's appeal well into the cooler months. Up close, the fruity fragrance – reminiscent of ripe strawberries and spice – makes 'Hartlage Wine' an exceptional choice for planting near seating areas, entrances or pathways where the scent can be fully appreciated.

Remarkably easy to grow and adaptable to a wide range of garden conditions, 'Hartlage Wine' rewards with very little in return for the effort asked of it. It is a genuinely low-maintenance plant with outstanding ornamental value season after season.

Why Choose Calycanthus 'Hartlage Wine'?

• Spectacular Blooms – Large, multi-petalled flowers in deep wine-red with an exotic, lotus-like quality.

• Exceptional Flowering Season – Blooms continuously from late spring through to autumn.

• Sweet Fragrance – A warm, fruity scent reminiscent of ripe strawberries and spice.

• Lush Foliage – Broad, glossy dark green leaves with attractive autumn colour.

• Low Maintenance – Vigorous, adaptable, and very easy to grow with minimal care.

Growing Conditions

Position: Calycanthus 'Hartlage Wine' thrives in full sun to partial shade. A sunny or lightly dappled spot will encourage the most prolific flowering and the strongest fragrance. It performs well against a warm wall as well as in open borders.

Soil: Best in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It is adaptable to a range of soil types including loam and clay, provided waterlogging is avoided. Enriching the planting area with organic matter at planting time will give the best start.

Hardiness: Fully hardy across most of the UK and Ireland. Established plants are tolerant of summer drought, cold winters, and periods of heat, making them a reliably resilient choice for a wide range of gardens.

Care

Watering: Keep the root zone evenly moist during the first growing season to help the plant establish. Once settled in, 'Hartlage Wine' is moderately drought-tolerant, though a thorough watering during prolonged dry spells will maintain the best flowering performance.

Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in early spring to support vigorous growth and a generous flowering season. A mulch of well-rotted compost around the base in spring will also help retain soil moisture and feed the plant naturally.

Mulching: An annual mulch in spring, kept clear of the main stems, is beneficial – it retains moisture, moderates soil temperature, and gradually improves soil structure.

Pruning: Very little pruning is required. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter or early spring before growth resumes. If shaping is needed to maintain size or form, light trimming after the main flush of flowering in early summer is ideal. Avoid heavy cutting, as established plants flower most freely when allowed to develop naturally.

Design & Planting Ideas

• Plant near seating areas or garden entrances where the fruity fragrance can be enjoyed at close quarters.

• Use as a bold specimen set within a lawn or at the corner of a border to show off its rounded habit and dramatic flowers.

• Combine with ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus or Calamagrostis for a striking textural contrast.

• Pair with pale-flowered perennials – Astilbe, Heuchera or creamy Hydrangea – to make the deep burgundy blooms sing.

• Plant against an evergreen backdrop of Taxus or Ilex to highlight the richness of the flower colour throughout summer and autumn.