Calycanthus floridus

Sweetshrub (Carolina Allspice)

An easy-to-grow native plant adaptable to a wide range of conditions.  Flowers have a pleasing scent of strawberries to bananas to pineapples and should be planted close to a walk or seating area where the scent can be enjoyed. The 2" flowers are dark reddish brown, maroon, or reddish. Flowers form on both old growth and new growth with sporadic flowering in May which continues into June and July. The dark green foliage turns yellow in fall and persists for many weeks.

Calycanthus is a valuable addition to the shrub layer with its dense stems providing cover and nesting sites for birds. Flowers also provide pollen.

  • Native, deciduous shrub
  • Disease resistant and easy to grow
  • Fragrant, reddish flowers

Login for pricing
Landscape Characteristics
Flowers
Foliage Color
Fragrance
Classification by Use
Native
Specialty Use
Wildlife Garden
Woodland Garden
Animal Resistance
Deer Resistant
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Songbirds
Habit
Upright
Light Requirement
Full Sun
Part Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Spring
Summer
Season of Interest (Foliage)
Summer
Growth Rate
Moderate
Soil Moisture
Average Water
Well-Drained
Foliage Color
Green
Yellow
Growing & Maintenance Tips for Calycanthus floridus

Sweetshrub is trouble-free and adapts to many soils but prefers a deep, moist loam. Grows in sun or shade but does not get as tall in sunny locations. Prune after flowering if needed.