With its fragrant spring flowers and lustrous leaves that turn yellow in fall, Carolina allspice qualifies as an all-star choice for urban, suburban, and native landscapes. It grows to considerable width at a moderate rate, about 12 to 18 inches per year. This native shrub has multi-seasonal interest. Its straplike red flowers give way to seed capsules that mature in fall and last through winter. Pair it with other native shrubs to create a border that welcomes wildlife with berries, pollen, and/or shelter.
The shrub is toxic to humans and pets.
Carolina Allspice Overview
Where to Plant Carolina Allspice
In terms of light and soil requirements, this shrub is very versatile. It grows both in full sun and part shade and adapts well to different soil types and pH levels.
Plant a row of these shrubs near a property line, along a foundation or around a patio to create a living screen. Put a specimen in a shrub border, near your front door, patio, or deck to take advantage of the sweet banana-strawberry fragrance that radiates from its springtime flowers.
Since it often grows as an understory shrub in the wild, a woodland setting is ideal. Carolina allspice also lends itself to be grown as a hedge, as it is easy to prune and train it.
How and When to Plant Carolina Allspice
Plant the shrub in the spring or fall. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. Place the shrub in the hole and backfill with the original soil so that the top of the root ball is flush with the soil. Tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep the soil moist. When planting in the spring, water it regularly during the first growing season in the absence of rain to encourage a strong root system.
Space plants 6 to 12 feet apart. When grown as a hedge, they can be planted closer together.
Carolina Allspice Care Tips
This robust native shrub requires little care.
Light
Carolina allspice grows in sun, part shade, and filtered shade. It will grow faster in part shade and slower in full sun.
Soil and Water
Ideally, the shrub should be planted in rich loam that is slightly acidic but will tolerate a wide range of soil types and a pH of 6.0 to 8.0. Good drainage, however, is a must.
After being established, Carolina allspice only needs watering during droughts. But to conserve soil moisture and protect its shallow roots from drying out, blanket the ground around the shrub with a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch to help conserve soil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Although it is native to the southeastern United States, Carolina allspice grows in a wide range of climates and temperatures and it’s winter-hardy in Zone 4. It does not have any particular humidity issues or requirements.
Fertilizer
A one-time application of a tree and shrub fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions. Alternatively, scatter a few handfuls of compost around the base of the plant every spring.
Pruning
Prune Carolina allspice after it flowers in early summer. Reducing the stems by one-third of their original length maintains the shrub's compact, round shape.
If over time the shrub becomes leggy and takes on a ragged or overgrown appearance, cut it back to 12 inches above ground level in late winter. It will quickly produce new, compact growth.
Carolina allspice produces lots of suckers at its base. Cut them back to the ground if you want to prevent the shrub from naturalizing.
Potting and Repotting Carolina Allspice
Carolina allspice is best planted in the landscape. The size of this shrub does not make it a good candidate for containers.
Pests and Problems
Carolina allspice is not frequently affected by serious pests and diseases. Late in the season, it may get powdery mildew. In poorly draining, wet soil, root rot may occur.
How to Propagate Carolina Allspice
Carolina allspice grows numerous suckers from its base and the easiest way to propagate a shrub that is true to the parent is to root the suckers. Locate the strongest suckers. If the soil is dry, deeply water before carefully digging out the suckers without damaging the roots. Dig more than you need as they may not all root.
Replant the suckers in nursery pots filled with potting mix and make sure that the roots are deeply buried. Place the pots in a location with bright light but away from direct sunlight and keep them evenly moist until they have grown into vigorous little plants.
Types of Carolina Allspice
‘Athens’
This cultivar has highly fragrant, pale yellow flowers about 2 inches in diameter. Calycanthus floridus 'Athens' is a dense, rounded shrub reaching up to 9 feet in height. It blooms in May. Zone 4-8
‘Michael Lindsey’
Valued for its exceptional fragrance, this cultivar of Calycanthus floridus has deep violet-red flowers. It grows up to 6 to 8 feet tall and up to 10 feet wide. The foliage is deep green and turns bright yellow in the fall. Zone 5-9
‘Aphrodite’
A cross between the native Calycanthus and an Asian species, this hybrid has big, glossy leaves and striking cupped, deep red flowers. The bloom time begins in early summer and lasts for at least a couple of months. On average, the mature size is between 4 and 6 feet in height and width but in ideal conditions, it might grow up to 10 feet tall. Zone 5-9
Sweetshrub
Calycanthus × raulstonii is a hybrid known under two different names, Raulston’s allspice or sweetshrub. It blooms in April or May and the special feature of this variety is the gradual change of the flowers from maroon to wine-red flowers. With a mature height and width of 8 to 10 feet, this is a large shrub. Zone 5-9
Venus Sweetshrub
A smaller variety is “Venus’, a hybrid of three different species, namely Calycanthus floridus (Carolina allspice), Calycanthus occidentalis (California sweetshrub) Calycanthus chinensis. It blooms in May to June; the flowers are while and fragrant. It is slightly less winter-hardy than other allspice varieties. Zone 6-8
Carolina Allspice Companion Plants
Virginia Sweetspire
This native deciduous shrub (Itea virginica) is as versatile as it is attractive. It has fragrant spring flowers and blazing fall foliage that often persists well into winter. The gracefully arching stems of Virginia sweetspire fill the space beneath taller shrubs or small trees. It is at home in either sun or shade. Zone 5-9
Beautyberry
The white or light pink flowers of American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) are pretty but the eye-catching seasonal feature of this is native shrub are its bright purple berries in the fall. The berries hold well into the winter, serving as food for birds. The shrub blooms on new growth so you don't need to worry about accidentally pruning off flower buds in the fall. Zone 5-10
Ninebark
Its fast-growing habit, versatility, hardiness, and appealing winter bark make ninebark shrubs (Physocarpus spp.) garden favorites. The foliage color of the species is a deep purple, but there are also new cultivars with gold and amber leaves. Some varieties even fade from one color to another as they age. As the bark of the older stems ages, it peels back in layers, creating an exfoliation effect. Zone 3-7
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the common name for Calycanthus?Calycanthus floridus has many different names: sweetshrub, spicebush, bubby bush, sweet bubby bush, and sweet Betsy. This can be confusing because some of the common names are also used for other native shrubs, for example, Lindera benzoin is also called spicebush.
Calycanthus floridus has many different names: sweetshrub, spicebush, bubby bush, sweet bubby bush, and sweet Betsy. This can be confusing because some of the common names are also used for other native shrubs, for example, Lindera benzoin is also called spicebush.
- Do deer eat Carolina allspice?The shrub is considered deer-resistant but if there is a severe shortage of food sources for deer in your area, deer browsing cannot be ruled out.
The shrub is considered deer-resistant but if there is a severe shortage of food sources for deer in your area, deer browsing cannot be ruled out.