Calycanthus floridus (Carolina Allspice)

One of the most fragrant native shrubs available, Carolina allspice pairs a genuinely unique, spicy-sweet bloom scent with strong deer resistance and heat tolerance - a reliable specimen or border shrub for woodland garden and naturalized plantings.

Species Overview

Calycanthus floridus, commonly known as Carolina allspice or sweetshrub, is a deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States. It typically grows to a height and spread of 6 to 10 feet, forming a rounded, dense shrub. The plant is characterized by its dark green, ovate leaves, which turn yellow in the fall. One of its most distinctive features is its fragrant, dark red to brownish-maroon flowers, blooming from late spring to early summer, often described as having a spicy, fruity scent reminiscent of strawberries, melons, or cloves.

Application

• Woodland garden and shrub border plantings, valued for fragrance
• Specimen plantings in sun or shade
• Deer-pressured sites
• Pollinator habitat plantings - attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Organically rich, moist, well-drained loam; adapts to average garden soil
• Growth Rate: Moderate - sources disagree, ranging from "fast" to "slow to medium"; see flags
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 4-8 ft. (existing records show 6-10 ft.; see flags)
• Fall Color: Yellow
• Bloom Color / Period: Red, Brown; May-June
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACU (Facultative Upland) - Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region
• Native Range: Southeastern United States; see flags on native range precision
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Flood Tolerance: Moderate - A moist-woodland shrub tolerant of periodically wet soil.
• Shade Tolerance: Tolerant
• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed/Thicket-forming - suckering habit
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged)
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees, supports butterflies, supports hummingbirds