Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' sweetshrub, deep wine-red magnolia-like flower with a gold center
Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' sweetshrub, deep wine-red magnolia-like flower with a gold center
Deer-Resistant Fragrant

Hartlage Wine Sweetshrub

Calycanthus x raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine'

$28.00 Sold out
USDA Zones 6–9 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 6–10 Feet

A breakthrough hybrid sweetshrub, Calycanthus × raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' opens three-inch, magnolia-like blooms of deep wine-red, gold at the heart, from late spring into fall.

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

Born of careful hands and watchful eyes at the JC Raulston Arboretum in North Carolina, Calycanthus × raulstonii 'Hartlage Wine' is a sweetshrub of uncommon grace. Richard Hartlage made the cross as an undergraduate at North Carolina State University in 1991, pairing the Southern native Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) with the refined Chinese sweetshrub (Calycanthus chinensis); the seedling first flowered in 1996, and the hybrid name honors J.C. Raulston, the arboretum's late director.

From late spring the branches open deep wine-red blooms touched with gold at the center, each broad and open like a small magnolia, nearly three inches across and lightly sweet. The show begins in May and lingers through summer, with flowers returning here and there into early fall above lush, glossy, deep green leaves that close the season in soft gold.

Growing upright and full, eight to ten feet tall and wide, 'Hartlage Wine' asks for little more than good soil and a touch of shade from the hottest sun. Unlike the native kin, this hybrid does not run underground, staying well-mannered and easy to manage in a thoughtful garden. Long-blooming, deer-resistant, and rich with seasonal presence, the shrub belongs by a shaded path or at a woodland edge, the sort of plant that stays with a gardener long after the last bloom fades.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 6–9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Moist, Well-drained
Mature size
Height 6–10 Feet · Spread 6–8 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Deciduous
Design Notes

Give 'Hartlage Wine' room to stand as a full, upright specimen by a shaded path, at a woodland edge, or in a mixed border where the wine-red, gold-centered flowers can be read at close range against the glossy foliage. The non-running habit makes this hybrid far easier to place than the suckering native sweetshrubs, an anchor that holds shape and ground. Light afternoon shade keeps the flower color from bleaching where summers are fierce; pair with ferns, hellebores, and other shade companions that welcome the same cool, even moisture.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Flower. The blooms are the headline, large, open, and boldly colored. Each measures two and a half to three inches across in a rich wine-red to burgundy, with cream-to-yellow accents at the center. The waxy, petal-like tepals overlap in a layered, magnolia-like form that betrays the hybrid heritage. Less heavily scented than the native sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), the flowers still offer a light, pleasant fragrance and bloom freely from late spring into midsummer, returning intermittently into fall.

Foliage. The leaves are lush, broad, and deep green, emerging early and holding color into autumn. Ovate to elliptical and four to six inches long, with a smooth, glossy finish, they turn soft gold before dropping to reveal the gracefully arching branches beneath.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade preserves the deepest flower color in hot gardens.

Soil. Moist, well-drained, and reasonably fertile, with a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool.

Water. Keep evenly moist while establishing, then water through dry spells for the best foliage and the longest bloom.

Pruning. Little needed; shape just after the main flush. The non-suckering habit means no runners to chase.

Hardiness. Reliable through roughly USDA Zones 6 to 9.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.