Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants

A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy

Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy

Calycanthus floridus

Full sun to light shade; wet to medium moisture level; very adaptable to a range of soils; slightly acid to neutral pH.

6-9 feet height by 6-9 feet spread; blooms May-June; maroon colored flowers; pear or fig-shaped leathery capsules in September to October which persist through winter.

Growth Rate:  Slow to medium.  Has a suckering habit so will need to trim off suckering branches unless you want it to naturalize.

Maintenance:  Trouble-free

Propagation:  Germination code A.  Moderately easy from seed and from root cuttings.

Native Region:  East Tennessee, lightly in Middle Tennessee

Very worthwhile shrub for every garden.  Main asset is its unique, oddly shaped flower that releases a sweet, fruity fragrance.  Shrubs have a great variation in fragrance so it is wise to smell before you buy.  Very shade tolerant.  Very low wildlife value.

shrub;sun;wet;clay
shrub;sun;wet;loam
shrub;sun;wet;sand
shrub;sun;medium;clay
shrub;sun;medium;loam
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shrub;sun/shade;wet;clay
shrub;sun/shade;wet;loam
shrub;sun/shade;wet;sand
shrub;sun/shade;medium;clay
shrub;sun/shade;medium;loam
shrub;sun/shade;medium;sand
shrub;shade;wet;clay
shrub;shade;wet;loam
shrub;shade;wet;sand
shrub;shade;medium;clay
shrub;shade;medium;loam
shrub;shade;medium;sand

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