Calycanthus floridus (Sweetshrub)
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Calycanthus florida, commonly called Carolina allspice or sweetshrub, is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub to small tree that grows to between six and nine feet tall. Calycanthus florida is native from New York to Florida, and prefers full sun to part shade, with moist, well-draining soil, although sweetshrub is tolerant to heavier clay soils, occasional flooding, and full shade conditions.
Perhaps best known for its tropical-looking brownish maroon to red flowers that bloom on the ends of branches intermittently throughout the growing season. Both leaves and flowers are pleasantly aromatic, with most people describing the smell as very fruity and occasionally spicy. 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.
It may be best to purchase sweetshrub when in bloom, as the intensity of fragrance can widely vary. To maintain shrub shape, prune immediately after flowers die back, as new flowers will bloom on the previous season's growth.