Calycanthus floridus

Common Names:
Bubby Blossom, Carolina Allspice, Common Sweetshrub, Spicebush, Strawberry-shrub, Sweet Bubby

Classification:
Shrubs

Origin:

Virginia to Florida

Sun/Water Requirements:

Can tolerate both shady & sunny conditions.
Moderate climate.

Climate / Hardiness Zones:

Zone 4 to Zone 9
Provider notes: "have seen it injured at Zone 4; -15 to -20 degrees F is the break point. At Orono, ME plants have been injured after -30 degrees F but have regenerated. Morton Arboretum (Lisle, IL) mentioned that it freezes back to some extent but generally flowers freely from early June to early July; even if shoot tips are winter killed, the potential for good flowering is excellent."

Growth:

Range: Grows from 5' to 10'.
Rate: Relatively slow growth.
Provider notes: "Dense, bushy, rounded shrub of regular outline; with sun and regular culture it makes a handsome shrub."

Flowers:

Colors: Brown, Red
Season(s): Spring

Provider notes: "dark reddish brown, maroon to almost red, up to 2" across when fully open, very fruity fragrance, May and flowering sporadically into June and July. In our garden it may be in flower by early April (Athens, GA) . Scent is always best in the evening. Best to buy in flower as some seedlings are not fragrant and some vinegar-scented."

Foliage:

Deciduous
Color: Leaves are dark green in the summer. Leaves are yellow in the fall.
Provider notes: "on some clones lustrous, yellowish in fall, but usually not outstanding definitely varies from year to year; have observed quite excellent fall color. Leaves persist late (November)"

Fruit:

Color: Black
Season(s): Fall

Landscape Value:

Can be used as a grouping plant.

Provider notes: "Worthwhile plant for every garden, especially welcome in the shrub border or around an outdoor living area where the sweet strawberry-pineapple-banana scent can permeate the entire area; great variation in flower odor and it is best to smell before buying; this is a trouble-free plant that can be meshed into any garden setting."

Other:

Is Resistant to Disease
Is Resistant to Insects

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