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Hand Picked Nursery

Sweet Shrub – Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) | Fragrant Native Flowering Shrub | Hand Picked Nursery

$24.95
$24.95
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Product Description

Bring old-fashioned charm and fragrance to your garden with the Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus), also known as Carolina Allspice. This deciduous, native shrub is prized for its maroon to reddish-brown flowers that release a sweet, spicy scent reminiscent of strawberries and bananas. Blooming in late spring through early summer, Sweet Shrub adds beauty, fragrance, and pollinator appeal to any landscape.

A favorite in cottage gardens and woodland borders, this hardy shrub grows 6–9 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded shape with lush green foliage that turns golden in fall. Perfect for zones 5–9, Sweet Shrub thrives in moist, well-drained soil and partial shade to full sun, offering versatility for garden beds, mixed borders, or naturalized plantings.

Product Features

  • Native & Fragrant: Unique spicy-sweet blooms with hints of strawberry, banana, and clove.
  • Showy Blooms: Deep red-brown flowers from late spring through summer.
  • Wildlife Friendly: Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in USDA Zones 5–9; adaptable to many soil types.
  • Low Maintenance: Minimal pruning and fertilization needed once established.
  • Perfect for Landscapes: Great for woodland gardens, borders, and fragrant hedges.

Planting & Care Instructions

1. Choose a Location:
Select a spot with partial shade to full sun. More sunlight encourages heavier flowering.

2. Prepare the Soil:
Amend with compost or aged manure before planting. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.0) that drains well.

3. Planting:

  • Plant in early spring or fall when the soil is cool and moist.
  • Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and as deep as the roots.
  • Place the shrub so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
  • Backfill gently and water thoroughly to settle the roots.

4. Spacing:
Space shrubs 6–9 feet apart to allow for mature growth and air circulation.

5. Watering & Mulching:
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

6. Maintenance:
Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or crossing branches. Fertilization is rarely needed—apply only if foliage appears weak.

Plant Details

  • Botanical Name: Calycanthus floridus
  • Common Names: Sweet Shrub, Carolina Allspice, Spice Bush
  • Height & Spread: 6–9 ft tall × 6–9 ft wide
  • Light Requirements: Partial shade to full sun
  • Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
  • Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
  • Fragrance: Sweet, spicy (banana–strawberry scent)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9

Customer Guarantee

All bare root plants are hand-inspected prior to shipment to ensure the highest quality. If you have any questions or concerns upon arrival, our team is happy to assist you through every step of your growing journey.