Calycanthus floridus (Sweetshrub) Unity Grown

Calycanthus floridus, commonly called Carolina allspice or sweetshrub, is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub to small tree that grows to 6-9' tall and slightly wider. Native from New York to Florida, Calycanthus floridus is perhaps best known for its tropical-looking brownish maroon to red flowers that bloom on the ends of branches at irregular times throughout the spring and summer. Both leaves and flowers are pleasantly aromatic, with most people describing the smell as fruity and spicy, with some comparing the scent to Juicy Fruit gum. Large, showy flowers are not the only ornamental draw, however, as Calycanthus floridus foliage also turns to an attractive golden yellow color in the fall.

Sweetshrub flowers are attractive to pollinators, butterflies, and a variety of other insects, and the whole plant is resistant to deer browsing, possibly due to its fragrance. Beyond its fragrance and its aesthetic appeal, sweetshrub is an important plant for several species of beetles, which it attracts with the same spicy smell it is known for in a process that is relatively uncommon in the world of ornamental plants. Calycanthus floridus is additionally quite valuable to several species of butterfly, including the unique saddleback caterpillar moth (Acharia stimulea) which uses the tree as a host during its larval stage. Sweetshrub prefers full sun or partial shade, and sites with moist, well-draining soils, although it is also tolerant to heavier clay soils, occasional flooding, and full shade conditions.

Note: It may be best to purchase sweetshrub when in bloom, as the intensity of fragrance can widely vary between individual plants. To maintain shrub shape, prune immediately after flowers die back, as new flowers will bloom on the previous season's growth.