previous
  • Colorful Selections for Shade
    Colorful Selections for Shade
  • Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
    Plant an Easy-to-Water Strawberry Jar
  • Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
    Slideshow: Beautiful Clematis
  • Fragrant Plants for Pathways
    Fragrant Plants for Pathways
  • Plants that Spark!
    Plants that Spark!
  • Designing with Curved Terraces
    Designing with Curved Terraces
  • Stylish Shady Containers
    Stylish Shady Containers
  • Mulch for a Healthy Garden
    Mulch for a Healthy Garden
  • Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
    Indeterminate or Determinate Tomatoes?
  • 6 Tips for Weed Control
    6 Tips for Weed Control
  • Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
    Garden Confidential: A Plant Walks into a Bar
  • Elephant's Ears
    Elephant's Ears
  • Homegrown / Homemade
    Homegrown / Homemade
  • Dwarf Citrus Trees
    Dwarf Citrus Trees
  • NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
    NEW Video Series: There's a Better Way
  • Lawn Alternatives
    Lawn Alternatives
  • Thoughts From a Foreign Field
    Thoughts From a Foreign Field
  • In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
    In Pursuit of the Perfect Potting Shed
  • Building a Compost Bin
    Building a Compost Bin
  • Pretty in Pink
    Pretty in Pink
  • Containers as Focal Points
    Containers as Focal Points
  • Make a Succulent Topiary
    Make a Succulent Topiary
  • Comfortable Alfresco Dining
    Comfortable Alfresco Dining
  • Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
    Fast-Growing Trees for Impatient Gardeners
  • Save Money by Growing Your Own
    Save Money by Growing Your Own
next
Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Calycanthus floridus (Carolina allspice, Strawberry shrub, Common sweetshrub)

Calycanthus floridus Photo/Illustration: Steve Aitken


Be the first to rate this plant

Plant Showcase - from our advertisers


Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Calycanthus floridus kal-ih-CAN-thus FLOOR-ih-dus Common Name: Carolina allspice, Strawberry shrub, Common sweetshrub Genus: Calycanthus
This deciduous shrub has a dense, rounded habit, growing 6 to 9 feet tall and as wide. Its unusual, waterlily-like, fragrant flowers combine the scent of strawberries, banana, and pineapple. Flowers appear in May and continuing blooming on and off into June and July. The dark green leaves and bark release a clove or camphor-like scent when crushed.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Highly adaptable to many soil types and grows in sun or shade, though it blooms more when grown in full sun. Native from Virginia to Florida.
 Care: Grow in full sun or part shade (in warmer climates) and moist, fertile, organically rich soil.
 Propagation: Root softwood cuttings in summer or remove suckers in spring.
 Problems: Fungal leaf spots, powdery mildew, and dieback.
Height 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Spread 6 ft. to 10 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Low
Characteristics Fragrant Flowers; Fragrant Foliage; Interesting Bark; Native; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Spring; Summer
Flower Color Red Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Shrubs

Plants you might also like

Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert' Rosa 'Blanc Double de Coubert'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

The white of this rose has a purity of color that is without equal. It produces semi-double, very fragrant flowers from spring to fall, which are sometimes followed by orange hips. It grows to 6 feet high and wide.   
no image available Rosa 'Redcoat'
(English shrub rose) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This David Austin rose produces vibrant, semi-double red blossoms with contrasting yellow stamens all season long. It grows from 2.5 to 5 feet tall.
Rosa rugosa var. alba Rosa rugosa var. alba
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This variety has single, papery white blossoms that open from light pink buds and have contrasting yellow stamens. The heavily-scented flowers are followed by reddish-orange hips. It grows up to 6 feet high.
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’ Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’
(Oakleaf hydrangea) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This cultivar produces 8-inch-long, conical flower heads from early summer on. It is as notable for its distinct, deeply lobed leaves as for its reliably showy, creamy blooms. The foliage produces outstanding fall color and the flowers take on purplish-pink hues when dried.
Rosa 'Charles Albanel' Rosa 'Charles Albanel'
(Hedgehog rose, Ramanas rose, Japanese rose, Sea tomato) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This spreading rose grows to only 2 feet tall, making it an ideal groundcover for a steep bank or roadside. It produces fragrant, double, deep-pink blossoms from spring to fall.