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
- Category: Shrub, Wetland, Native
- Hardiness Zone: 4-9
- Height: 6-10 ft
- Spread: 6-12 ft
- Foliage Color: Green
Classification by Use
• | Native |
Animal Resistance
• | Deer Resistant |
Habit
• | Upright |
Foliage
• | Deciduous |
Season of Interest (Foliage)
• | Summer |
Growth Rate
• | Moderate |
Attributes
• | Border or Bed |
• | Focal Point |
• | Fragrant |
• | Great Foliage |
• | Low Maintenance |
• | Mass Planting |
• | Native |
• | Naturalizing |
• | Specimen |
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.