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

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Landscape Characteristics
• Flowers
• Foliage Color
• Fragrance
Specialty Use
• Wildlife Garden
• Woodland Garden
Attracts Wildlife
• Attracts Pollinators
• Attracts Songbirds
Classification by Use
• Native
Critter Resistance
• Deer Resistant
Habit
• Upright
Light Requirement
• Part Sun
• 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.