2 Bare Root Sweet Shrub Plants (Calycanthus floridus) Fragrant Flowering

Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus), also known as Carolina Allspice, is a deciduous flowering shrub prized for its unusual, fragrant blooms and dense, rounded habit. The flowers appear in late spring to early summer and emit a sweet, fruity-spicy scent that can perfume the garden. The glossy green foliage turns yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest. This versatile native shrub works well in mixed borders, woodland gardens, and as a specimen plant, and it can be grown in partial shade where many flowering shrubs struggle.

Sweet Shrub is adaptable and low-maintenance once established, tolerating a range of soil conditions and attracting pollinators. Its dense branching provides cover for birds and beneficial insects, making it a useful addition to wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Plant Features

• Fragrant maroon-brown flowers with a sweet, fruity scent
• Glossy green foliage that turns yellow in autumn
• Dense, rounded growth habit suitable for hedges or specimens
• Native to the southeastern United States
• Attracts pollinators and provides wildlife cover

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Calycenthus floridus
• Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to loam, clay, or sandy loam
• Water Requirements: Moderate; keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment
• Growth Habit: Upright, rounded, suckering
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
• Mature Height: 6-9 feet
• Spacing: 4-6 feet apart

Planting & Care

Plant bare root Sweet Shrub in early spring or fall while the plant is dormant. Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots without crowding, set the crown at or slightly below soil level, and backfill with native soil. Water thoroughly after planting and apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season to encourage establishment.

Once established, Sweet Shrub is relatively low-maintenance. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged wood. It can sucker to form a colony, which is beneficial for naturalizing but may require control in formal settings. Fertilize sparingly in early spring if growth is weak.

What's Included

2 bare root Sweet Shrub plants (Calycanthus floridus).