Closely related to our native common sweetshrub, Chinese sweetshrub (sometimes called Chinese wax shrub) lacks any floral fragrance and has larger glossy dark green leaves that show yellow fall color. The tepals of the flower are rather thick and waxy in texture; the outer tepals are white or a little rose, while the inner, smaller tepals are pale or dark yellow. A member of the Calycanthaceae family, this unique shrub is less hardy than common sweetshrub and may be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8. You can see Chinese sweetshrub near the top of China Valley in the Asian Collections.