Calycanthus floridus | Tennessee Smart Yards

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy - Calycanthus floridus 3

Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/

Common Name: Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy

Full sun to light shade; wet to medium moisture level; very adaptable to a range of soils; slightly acid to neutral pH.

6-9 feet height by 6-9 feet spread; blooms May-June; maroon colored flowers; pear or fig-shaped leathery capsules in September to October which persist through winter.

Growth Rate: Slow to medium

Maintenance: Trouble-free

Propagation: Germination code A. Moderately easy from seed and from root cuttings.

Native Region: East Tennessee, lightly in Middle Tennessee

Very worthwhile shrub for every garden. Main asset is its unique, oddly shaped flower that releases a sweet, fruity fragrance. Shrubs have a great variation in fragrance so it is wise to smell before you buy. Very shade tolerant. Very low wildlife value.

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy - Calycanthus floridus — Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia [user: Ulf Eliasson] http://www.wikipedia.org/

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy - Calycanthus floridus 4 — Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy - Calycanthus floridus 2 — Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia http://www.wikipedia.org/

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy - Calycanthus floridus 5 — Photo Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://www.wildflower.org/