CAROLINA ALLSPICE Calycanthus floridus

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CAROLINA ALLSPICE Calycanthus floridus

Also called sweetshrub, strawberry shrub and pineapple shrub.

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This beautiful deciduous shrub grows slowly to form neat mounds up to 8 ft high. As the sweetshrub suckers vigorously the mounds increase in width to eventually form a thicket if not constrained. Sweetshrub has many common names, all alluding to the aromatic properties of its leaves, bark, twigs and roots. Best of all is the wonderfully fruity scent produced by the unusual flowers. Rusty red to brown, the 1-2 inch blossoms appear in quantities during the spring and intermittently thereafter throughout the summer. The leaves are oblong, 4 in long by 2 in wide, and are arranged oppositely along the length of the stems. They are rich deep green with lighter green underneath. Soft and fuzzy to the touch, they turn bright golden yellow in autumn. There is variation is the amount and nature of the perfume among individuals. The flowers also seem to become more fragrant as they age.

Hardy zone 4-9

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Sowing instructions

Seeds develop a hard coat if overly dry. If so give a hot water treatment and soak 12-24 hours. Sow, barely covering seed, and tamp soil. Give 30 days cold moist stratification. Plastic cover greatly improves success. Move to warm site 59-72F. Days to germinate: 14-35. Transplant when a brownish hue on the seed root develops. Huge root system so use the appropriate sized container. Keep warm, moist (not wet) and give light. Seedling leaves look like green butterflies.