Calycanthus floridus
Carolina sweetshrub
Overview
Calycanthus floridus is a deciduous shrub in the family Calycanthaceae, reaching 6-9 feet (1.8-2.7 m) tall and 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) wide, with a rounded, suckering, multi-stemmed form. The opposite leaves are oval, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, glossy dark green above and paler beneath, aromatic when crushed, and turn yellow in fall. From late spring into summer it bears reddish-brown to maroon flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across, each with many strap-shaped petals and sepals that are not clearly differentiated. The flowers carry a fruity fragrance, variously compared to strawberry, banana, or pineapple, that varies considerably between individual plants. The bark, wood, and crushed leaves are also aromatic. Fruit is a leathery, urn-shaped capsule 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long that ripens brown and persists into winter. The seeds contain the alkaloid calycanthine and are toxic to livestock and humans if eaten. Plants sucker to form colonies, which limits use where a single contained shrub is wanted.
Native Range
Native to the southeastern United States, Calycanthus floridus occurs from Virginia and West Virginia south to Florida and west to Mississippi. It grows in moist woodlands, streambanks, ravines, and forest edges, usually in part shade.Suggested Uses
Used in shrub borders, woodland gardens, foundation plantings, and near patios and walks where the fruity-scented flowers are noticed. It works as an informal screen or massed planting and tolerates the shade of larger trees. The aromatic flowers and foliage suit fragrance gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 9'
Width/Spread6' - 12'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open from late spring into early summer, generally April to June, with scattered later bloom into July. Each plant flowers over about 4-6 weeks. The flowers are pollinated by sap beetles, which they trap briefly inside the closing petals before release.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
reddish-brown to maroonFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in moist, well-drained, fertile soil with a pH around 5.5-7.0. Part shade with consistent moisture supports fuller foliage and form, while full sun yields denser growth and heavier bloom where soil stays moist. It adapts to clay and loam and tolerates occasional wet soil. Suckers expand the clump over time and are removed at the base to keep it in bounds. Once established it needs little care beyond watering in drought. Flower fragrance varies between individual plants, so scent is judged by smelling a plant while it is in bloom.Pruning
Pruning is light and done just after flowering, since flowers form on old wood. Crowded, dead, or weak stems are thinned to the base to renew the shrub, and suckers are removed to control spread. Hard renewal pruning is tolerated but removes a season of bloom.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons