Richly fragrant, deer-resistant, and delightfully unique, Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), also called Carolina Allspice, is a native flowering shrub with glossy green leaves, upright growth, and unique blossoms that emit a spicy-sweet, fruity fragrance. Their intoxicating, spicy-sweet scented flowers are reminiscent of dark red magnolia blooms or water lilies, and are packed with charm and nostalgic scent!
This southeastern U.S. native forms a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub with oval, aromatic green leaves that turn golden-yellow in fall. Plus, these lovely blooms attract butterflies and beneficial insects while offering up a heady mix of pineapple, banana, strawberry, and clove scents. The bark, roots, and seeds are aromatic, too! Once used for perfume, medicine, and even as a cinnamon substitute, these shrubs live up to their Allspice name!
Hardy and low-maintenance, Sweetshrubs grow well in full sun to part shade and bloom in late spring into summer! Let's dive into five of the top varieties, including tried-and-true natives and bold new cultivars available from Nature Hills:
Meet The Sweetshrubs!
1. Native Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
The classic Appalachian favorite. This beloved native blooms with deep maroon to reddish-brown flowers that smell like a fruitcake fresh from the oven. The bark and roots have long been prized for their camphor-like aroma.
- Height/Spread: 6-10 feet tall and8-10 feet wide
- Zones: 4-9
- Notable Features: Fragrant flowers, native wildlife value, excellent in woodland gardens
- Wildlife: Butterflies, birds, and native bees love it!
2. Aphrodite Sweetshrub (Calycanthus x 'Aphrodite')
Bigger blooms, brighter color, and a long bloom time! This hybrid dazzles with cherry-red flowers as large as Magnolia blossoms and a robust fruity scent that lingers all summer.
- Height/Spread: 5-8 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide
- Zones: 5-9
- Notable Features: Long-blooming, disease-resistant, heat-tolerant
- Fragrance: Strong strawberry-banana punch with hints of melon
3. Burgundy Spice Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus var. purpureus 'Burgundy Spice')
This native cultivar ups the ante with striking deep purple foliage that contrasts beautifully with dark reddish-maroon blooms. It's showy, fragrant, and adds instant drama.
- Height/Spread: 6-9 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide
- Zones: 6-9
- Notable Features: Bold burgundy foliage, native genetics, outstanding fall color
- Landscape Use: Privacy screens, mixed borders, woodland edges
Honorable Mention: Coming Soon!
Proven Winners® Simply Scentsational® Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus 'SMNCAF')
A new star bred for top-tier scent and refined form, this Proven Winners® cultivar offers powerfully fragrant, large reddish-maroon blooms and neat growth.
- Height/Spread: 5-6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide
- Zones: 4-9
- Notable Features: The most fragrant Sweetshrub yet, highly uniform habit
Sweetshrub Landscaping Uses
Nature's fragrance factory, Sweetshrubs offer bold ornamental value plus wildlife and sensory appeal, making them versatile in almost any landscape setting. Here's how to use them:
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Woodland Gardens: Blend native Sweetshrub with shade perennials for a serene, shady retreat.
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Mixed Borders: Combine in mixed shrub borders with Hydrangea bushes, Azaleas, and Spirea for layered color and fragrance.
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Privacy Hedges: Their upright, multi-stemmed form is ideal for natural screens. Its suckering habit helps it form a thicket over time, making it excellent for privacy, pollinators, and wildlife cover.
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Fragrant Foundation Planting: Use Simply Scentsational® or Aphrodite near patios, windows, or paths, and a must-have in sensory gardens.
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Pollinator Gardens: These angiosperms support bees and butterflies, perfect among Perennials and native grasses.
- Edible Landscaping: While not edible, their fruit-scented blooms pair beautifully with fruiting shrubs like Blueberry bushes and Raspberry bushes in your mixed shrub borders.
Allspice Care & Maintenance
Sweetshrubs are hardy, adaptable shrubs, but a few tips will keep them thriving and fragrant for decades:
- Light: Best flowering in full sun to part shade.
- Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soil is ideal; tolerates clay once established.
- Watering: Water deeply and consistently the first year. Use the Finger Test before watering.
- Mulch: Apply arborist mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pruning: Light pruning after blooming keeps the shape tidy; remove suckers if you don't want thickets.
- Fertilizer: Use a slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring if needed.
- Pests/Disease: Very few issues. Deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
Sweetshrubs Through Time - Rooted in History
Used by Indigenous tribes and early settlers alike, the bark and roots of Sweetshrub were once dried and powdered for their spicy aroma, substituting for cinnamon or cloves in cooking and medicine.
Some folks carried the seed pods in pockets or dresser drawers as natural sachets. In folk medicine, it was brewed as a mild tea for stomach discomfort, although use as an herbal remedy is discouraged due to potential toxicity in large doses.
The shrub's strong fragrance and unique, ancient-looking blooms have made it a cherished pass-along plant for generations across the southeastern U.S. It belongs to the Calycanthaceae family, a group of woody plants with aromatic parts and curious flowers. Its distinctive smell has been described as everything from pineapple bubblegum to fermented strawberry wine!
No wonder it has inspired such nostalgic affection!
Happy Endings & Spicy Beginnings
Whether you crave its bold scent, native roots, or ornamental beauty, Sweetshrub delivers season after season. From the garden edge to the patio border, each cultivar offers something memorable: flowers that delight the nose, leaves that shimmer in golden fall hues, and a rich legacy of American garden tradition!
Happy Planting!
