Allspice Shrub 'Aphrodite'

An exceptional and relatively recent introduction to UK horticulture, 'Aphrodite' is a hybrid sweetshrub featuring enormous, magnolia-like blooms. The flowers are a deep, sultry wine-red with a sweet fragrance often compared to strawberries or pineapples. Unlike some older varieties, 'Aphrodite' has an exceptionally long flowering season, beginning in early summer and continuing sporadically until the first frosts. It forms a large, rounded shrub with big, glossy green leaves that provide an excellent backdrop for the exotic-looking flowers. It is fully hardy in the UK but performs best in a sheltered spot where its fragrance can linger. It prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. This shrub is perfect for bringing a touch of the exotic to a woodland garden or a mixed shrub border without the fussiness of true tropicals.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.