Calycanthus floridus 'Athens'

Also known as ‘Katherine,’ Calycanthus floridus ‘Athens’ is a unique and highly sought-after selection of the Eastern sweetshrub, cherished for its soft yellow blooms and sweet, fruity fragrance. Native to the woodlands of the Southeastern United States, Calycanthus floridus is a deciduous shrub long admired for its lush foliage, adaptability, and unusual flowers—but ‘Athens’ brings a rare and elegant twist.

Unlike the typical maroon blooms of the species, ‘Athens’ produces pale, buttery yellow flowers with a refined, almost tropical scent reminiscent of pineapple or ripe melon. The fragrant blooms appear in mid to late spring and may reappear sporadically through summer, tucked among rich green, ovate leaves that provide excellent coverage and garden texture.

This distinctive cultivar was originally shared with renowned plantsman Dr. Michael Dirr by Jane Symmes of the now-closed Cedar Lane Farms Nursery in Madison, Georgia. Though he named it ‘Katherine’ for his daughter, the name ‘Athens’—in honor of its University of Georgia roots—has become the commonly accepted name in horticultural circles.

Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, ‘Athens’ sweetshrub thrives in part shade to full sun and adapts well to a range of well-drained soils. It is deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and tolerant of drought once established—making it a fine choice for woodland borders, native gardens, or fragrant foundation plantings.