SCIENTIFIC NAME: Calycanthus floridus

COMMON NAME: common sweetshrub, Carolina allspice

FLOWERS: Red or maroon in April for a month or longer. Can bloom April-June. Flowers have good strawberry fragrance. Degree of fragrance depends on weather conditions and seedling variation.

LEAVES: Opposite and elliptical with shiny leaves and entire margins. 2" to 5" long. Pubescent on the veins. Has a sweet fragrance when crushed. Petioles come out at swollen nodes.

GROWTH HABIT: Grows 3' to 5' tall and spreads by stolons.

OTHER: Native all over the south. Is very fragrant on all parts of the plant. Does well in full sun, part sun, shade, wet or dry soils. A good plant for many areas because of its sweet smell and tolerance of any condition. Hardy to zone 5. Has lenticels on the young twigs. A member of the Calycanthaceae family. Historical plant that is always a winner.