Spice bush (Calycanthus occidentalis) is a deciduous shrub with bright green leaves and unusual lotus-shaped red flowers that can resemble a small magnolia flower. The flowers are strongly scented, with a wine-like fragrance, and appear from late spring through early autumn. Sap beetles pollinate the flowers. The bark also has a strong smell, like camphor, that is released when the stems are scraped.
Left alone, it will become a large, rounded shrub 3 to 13 feet tall and 3 to 12 feet wide. Trimmed, it can become a multi-trunked small tree. Part-shade is ideal for this plant but it tolerates full sun with lots of moisture in somewhat cooler areas. It accepts full shade but will grow more slowly with a more open habit. It is adaptable to different types of soil, and is somewhat deer resistant.