Calycanthus floridus
The Sweetshrub or Carolina Allspice is a native to the eastern United States. The brownish red 1-2” flowers open in April and have a fruity fragrance that is a mix of melons, strawberries, pineapples, and bananas. Leaves are large at 4-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. In the summer, they are a shiny dark green on top with an underside of gray green before they turn to a golden yellow in fall. Brown urn shaped seed pods form in the fall and continue into winter.
- Insect and disease resistant
- Spreads by growing new shoots (suckers)
- Plant where you can enjoy the flowery fragrance