The spice bush grows well in partial shade in Inland Empire gardens with normal winter rainfall and regular summer water. The chart below provides a baseline irrigation schedule for this species. It should be noted there are several winter months marked by an asterisk (*) when rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water; higher amounts of water within this range will result in stronger springtime flowering performance and summer foliage character.
|
Jan* |
Feb* |
Mar* |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov* |
Dec* |
Runs per Month |
0x to 3x |
0x to 3x |
0x to 3x |
2x to 3x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
1x to 2x |
2x to 3x |
0x to 3x |
0x to 3x |
Inches per Run |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
1″ |
|
Inches per Month |
0″ to 3″ |
0″ to 3″ |
0″ to 3″ |
2″ to 3″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
1″ to 2″ |
2″ to 3″ |
0″ to 3″ |
0″ to 3″ |
Range of supplemental summer water: 9"-16"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"
|
0″-3″ |
0″-3″ |
0″-3″ |
2″-3″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
1″-2″ |
2″-3″ |
0″-3″ |
0″-3″ |
|
Jan* |
Feb* |
Mar* |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov* |
Dec* |
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, follow this link.
For information how to calculate your irrigation system’s schedule and precipitation rate, please follow this link.
Prune when dormant in winter as needed, often just to remove crossing branches that will develop over time. Older unmaintained plants will be dense and overgrown and can be coppiced by cutting all the way to the ground around December – January (3). Calycanthus is a lovely plant, but will burn in summer direct sun in inland gardens. It’s not one of the easiest natives to keep looking good year round inland (S).
References