Sweetshrub

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)

Carolina Allspice, Strawberry Shrub, Bubby Bush

Part shade to full sun, moderately moist to well-drained, tolerates clay soils; pH 5.5–7.0; moderate drought tolerance once established.

6–9 feet tall and wide; blooms April–June with reddish-brown flowers 1–2 inches across, fragrance ranges from strongly spicy-sweet to nearly absent depending on the individual plant; deciduous; spreads by root suckers to form broad colonies.

Propagation: semi-hardwood cuttings in early summer; suckers transplant readily in early spring. Germination Code: C (cold stratification 60–90 days).

Native region: Native to Tennessee; common in moist woodland slopes and stream margins statewide, especially Middle and East Tennessee.

Sweetshrub is one of the most underused native shrubs for Middle Tennessee landscapes. It tolerates the heavy clay soils and partial shade beneath established trees — a combination that defeats most ornamentals — and requires essentially no supplemental care after establishment. Fragrance intensity varies: purchase plants in bloom to confirm scent if that is a priority. The cultivar 'Michael Lindsey' consistently produces strongly scented flowers and performs reliably in the region. Root suckers spread gradually and can be removed or allowed to naturalize depending on the planting context. No significant pest or disease problems affect Calycanthus floridus in Tennessee. Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larvae use the foliage as a host, and the flowers attract generalist pollinators.