Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub

Calycanthus florida

Scientific Description: Carolina Allspice or Sweetshrub – Calycanthus florida – is a deciduous, rounded shrub reaching a height of 6 to 9 feet and a drip width of the same. It tolerates full sun to full shade but looks best with at least a half-day of sun. It is acclimated to Hardiness Zones 4 through 9, and since Chattanooga and environs are in Zone 7, it should do well here.

The leaves are simple, opposite, 2 to 6 inches long, and turn a bright yellow in the late autumn and winter. Carolina Allspice needs a moist, sandy soil that can be either slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. It can tolerate occasional flooding conditions and occasional drought conditions. 

In mid tolerate spring, it produces a red to purple, fragrant flower. It is native to the southeastern United States. The smooth, grayish-brown bark is an interesting addition to the winter landscape. In addition, the bark produces a pleasant scent when scratched, and the leaves give off a fragrance when crushed.

This species is very forgiving to gardeners. It also has no serious disease or pest problems. However, when there is not good air circulation, this species can be susceptible to powdery mildew and other leaf fungi. These can be alleviated through pruning.

Habitat Value: Carolina allspice is rather forgiving and disease resistant as well as insect-free.

Landscape Value: Sweetshrub is yet another local native that you can find as often in the wild as in your neighbor’s yard or local nursery. It is blooming right now at Reflection Riding. If you see it, make sure to smell the blooms which is why it is called “sweet.” There is in fact great variability in the flower fragrance, and you may want to smell it in bloom before you buy. I have yet to find one that smelled unpleasant and I am fascinated by the ones that smell like black pepper. The most common melon-strawberry-banana-pineapple can permeate your entire yard on a calm day, making this a must-have for every garden. Its trouble-free nature, bloom scent, and glossy green leaves make it an excellent background shrub for the border. It also has great fall color, perhaps the most important characteristic for any plant. There are multiple cultivars that include yellow-flowered options, along with different tones of red and various bloom scents. It is also a fast grower and will do a decent job as a fast screen. 

By Matt Whitaker with WMWA Landscape Architecture