Carolina Allspice

Carolina allspice also known as Calycanthus Floridus grows in Appalachian mountains in eastern North America and also in the Smoky mountains in southeastern United States. These shrubs are known for their unique fragrance that is mild yet strong enough to perfume the entire yard or the area surrounding it. What's even more fascinating about these plants or shrubs is that it's not just the flowers that are delightfully fragrant but even the leaves are aromatic and pleasing to the senses. They grow at a faster pace and grow anywhere between four to eight feet tall and when the flowers of these shrubs bloom they fill up the air with its wonderful fragrance. Are you wondering why is this shrub called Carolina allspice? Well, Carolina because its native to North Carolina and allspice because the fragrance of it is unique and the leaves and flowers have more of a spicy aroma unlike the other flowers. It's like a sweet spicy aroma that makes it quite unusual when compared to any other shrubs and bushes. And that is one of the reason why these shrubs are also referred to as sweet shrub and the common names include sweet shade, and bubby blossom or bubby sweet. The fragrance of it is hard to describe as it has a unique fragrance and one way that could possibly describe its fragrance is that it is somewhat like a mix of pineapple, banana, strawberry fragrance, add a little spicy hint to it and that could best describe it, fruity and spicy.

Carolina Allspice Facts

Before we go ahead and look into how to grow this shrub, have a look at the summarized plant characteristics and some interesting facts about Carolina allspice.

• This one is very important! Carolina allspice is not to be confused with allspice tree or plant, berries of which are used to flavor foods. Berries are poisonous in nature and although natural, should not be used as a food spice.
• As the blossoms are strawberry colored and have a fruity smell, they are nicknamed as strawberry bush or shrub.
• Rubbing the leaves in hands also releases a spicy aroma.
• They usually grow up to 4 to 8 feet tall and could also grow up to a height of 10 feet.
• Don't know how true this is, but it is said that before the times of body washes and deodorants, women used to place flowers in their dresses for fragrance and that one of the nick names, bubby blossoms originated.
• Besides the strawberry color, they also appear in colors such as dark maroon, burgundy and even bronze.
• The shrubs are deciduous in nature.

Growing Conditions

Carolina allspice is a perfect pick of shrubs for foundation planting. Although the flowers of it might not that be extremely showy, the unique fragrance that infuses in the air is something that makes these shrubs to be eligible to be grown in the gardens and also the fact that one doesn't need to wander around the mountains in search of it, Seeds are easily available at nurseries and is easy to grow. A temperature ranging between -25 °F to 30 °F is tolerable by Carolina allspice shrubs and those living in zones with such temperatures can easily grow it in their garden. It does not require much sunlight can grow in both full or partial shade. Soil pH ranging between 6.1 - 7.5 is best suitable for these shrubs and it doesn't require daily watering, only once in every couple of days or so and at times of drought or an extremely dry condition.

I hope after reading this article, you would want to incorporate Carolina allspice in your garden and enjoy the unique fragrance of it that fills up the air. Growing it doesn't require much of gardening skills as long as the conditions are quite favorable. So go fetch some shrubs or seeds from your nearby plant nursery and enjoy the rich fragrance of it. Happy gardening!