Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus)
Carolina allspice is an erect-to-rounded deciduous native shrub in the sweetshrub family found in the Southeast in shady woodlands and along streambanks. Carolina allspice is valued for its fragrance, for attracting pollinators, and as a wildlife food source. Butterflies nectar at the blooms. Other insects also feed on the flowers, especially beetles.
Calycanthus floridus (Buncombe County, NC)
Randy Harter
CC BY 4.0
It blooms in early spring before leaves emerge, with the leaves, and sporadically thereafter. The showy mid-spring flowers have maroon -to-brown, strap-like petals and a fragrance described as combining hints of pine-apple, strawberry, and ba-nana. The aroma is stronger in higher temperatures, and it is best to purchase the plant in flower because the fragrances vary widely. They were used in years past to freshen the smell in dresser drawers. Fall gold/yellow color is described as “insignificant.”
Calycanthus floridus
Phillip Merit
CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Carolina allspice grows best in average to rich, well-drained soil in anywhere from full sun to deep shade. It prefers some shade in hot summer afternoons, and it will grow lankier and less dense in shade than in sun. It is tolerant of a wide range of soil textures and pH but prefers rich loams. It can tolerate occasional flooding and occasional dry conditions, but it struggles in sandy soil and drought conditions.
It transplants easily. Plant it as a specimen or near a patio or walkway to enjoy its fragrance. It makes a good screen or privacy hedge, a shrub for the back of the border, or a foundation planting. 'Athens' suckers from the base, has white flowers and yellow fall color; and 'Michael Lindsey' has wonderful fragrance and beautiful, shiny leaves.
It grows 6- to 12-ft. tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. Plant it at least 6 feet from other shrubs to give it adequate room to grow. Plant the crown at soil level. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slow-ly and deeply. Keep soil moist until the plant is established, and then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Apply 3 inches of mulch over the planted area but don’t allow mulch to touch the plant stems.
Carolina allspice has a medium growth rate and medium maintenance requirements. Prune it immediately after flowering to shape or maintain compactness. Pruning and training the plant to several upright stems can create an attractive specimen plant. Note that next season's flowers are produced on new and old wood. It has a suckering habit but is not known to be invasive. Suckering branches need to be eliminated unless you want this plant to naturalize in your landscape. It can be propagated by seed.
It withstands cold and heat, insect and disease pests, fire, and deer browsing. Powdery mildews of different genera can cause a white coating on the leaves. Seeds are poisonous.
By Kathryn Copley, Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer, Brunswick County, NC
For more information on gardening in Brunswick County, please call the Brunswick County Cooperative Extension Office, 910.253.2610.
SOURCES:
Calycanthus floridus | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Calycanthus floridus: Carolina Allspice | Clemson University, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences
Calycanthus floridus Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub | UF-IFAS Blogs, University of Florida