Sweetshrub, Bare Root

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)

Also known as Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub is a stunning, fragrant native deciduous shrub known for its deep red, magnolia-like flowers that emit a spicy, fruity aroma reminiscent of strawberries, banana, or clove—depending on the nose. Native to the southeastern United States, this underused garden gem provides multi-season interest, excellent wildlife habitat, and a unique sensory experience in the landscape. It thrives in rich, moist soils and partial shade, making it an ideal choice for woodland gardens, shady borders, and layered native plantings.

Key Characteristics

• Unique, spicy-sweet fragrance and ornamental value
  Sweetshrub is beloved for its unusual, wine-red flowers that bloom in mid to late spring and are richly fragrant. The scent can vary from clove to pineapple, often compared to a mix of spices and ripe fruit. The blooms are long-lasting and make this plant a standout in shady spots or sensory gardens.
• Provides cover and nesting habitat for birds
  With its dense, multi-stemmed growth habit, sweetshrub offers excellent cover for small birds and wildlife. It works well in the shrub layer of a native planting to support bird nesting and shelter, particularly along woodland edges and in mixed-species hedgerows.
• Pollinator support and beetle-pollinated flowers
  Unlike many native shrubs, sweetshrub is primarily pollinated by beetles. Its large, bowl-shaped flowers attract these often-overlooked pollinators, contributing to the broader goal of insect biodiversity and extending habitat for less common beneficial species.
• Adaptable in permaculture and native landscape designs
  Sweetshrub thrives in moist, well-drained soils and is tolerant of shade, making it an excellent addition to woodland gardens, shady food forests, and native shrub borders. It layers well in understory plantings and performs well in riparian buffers and streambank plantings, helping to stabilize soil while adding beauty and habitat.
• Traditional uses and aromatic bark
  While not widely used medicinally, the aromatic bark of sweetshrub was historically used by early settlers as a substitute for cinnamon or allspice, hence the name "Carolina Allspice." Some Indigenous groups also used it for fragrance and ceremonial purposes. However, internal use is not recommended today due to the presence of calycanthine, an alkaloid that can be toxic in large doses.

Product Details

• Native range: Southeastern United States
• Plant life cycle: Deciduous shrub
• Sun requirements: Part shade to full sun (best flowering in partial sun)
• Soil requirements: Medium to medium-wet; prefers rich, loamy soils
• Mature height: 6–12 feet
• Bloom time: Mid to late spring
• Bloom color: Deep red to maroon
• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–9

With its captivating fragrance, glossy green foliage, and value to pollinators and birds, Sweetshrub is a multi-functional native shrub that adds ecological and sensory richness to any shaded or woodland edge planting.