Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus Floridus ‘Athens’)

Features and Characteristics

Calycanthus floridus, commonly called Carolina allspice, is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub with a suckering habit which grows 6-9′ (less frequently to 12′) tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. Features very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown flowers (2″ across) which bloom at the ends of short branchlets in May. Flowers give way to brownish, urn-shaped fruits (seed capsules) which mature in fall and persist throughout the winter. Lustrous, dark green (pale beneath), ovate to elliptic leaves to 6″ long turn golden yellow in fall. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. Best to purchase this plant when in flower because the quality and intensity of the fragrance can vary widely from plant to plant. Also commonly called sweetshrub and strawberry bush in reference to the fragrant blooms which have been described as combining hints of pineapple, strawberry and banana. Further common name of hairy allspice is in reference to the hairy twigs and leaf undersides of this plant. U.S. native from Virginia to Florida.

Genus name comes from the Greek words kalyx meaning calyx and anthos meaning a flower.

Specific epithet means of Florida.

‘Athens’ is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub which grows up to 9′ tall. It features very fragrant, yellow flowers (2″ across) which bloom in May.