Carolina Allspice

Name: Carolina Allspice
Brand: TN Nursery
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Height Shipped 1-2 Feet 2-3 Feet 3-4 Feet

Quantity: (Buy More, Save More) Buy 1 Get 1 Free 5 Shrubs 25 Shrubs

Buy 1, Get 1 FREE - Add 1 to your cart, and we'll automatically send the second one FREE!Bulk pricing applied. Free plant offer is only on the Buy 1 Get 1 Free option.

$21.99

$11.00 each 2 plants (buy 1, get 1 free)

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Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Between November 15-29

Planting Zone

4-9

Height at Maturity

6–10 Feet

Water Needs

Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Bloom Season

April through May

Care

Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil; water weekly through the first growing season. Shape the shrub after flowering; cut back root suckers for a single clump. Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist and prevent weed growth.

Exposure

Grows in full sun to partial shade. More sun gives more flowers, as long as the soil stays moist; in hot climates, afternoon shade helps.

Plant Attributes

Native fragrant shrub , hardy, disease-resistant, easy to maintain, deer usually leave it alone

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Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Between November 15-29

Planting Zone

4-9

Height at Maturity

6–10 Feet

Water Needs

Moderate

Sun or Shade

Full sun and Partial shade

Bloom Season

April through May

Care

Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil; water weekly through the first growing season. Shape the shrub after flowering; cut back root suckers for a single clump. Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist and prevent weed growth.

Exposure

Grows in full sun to partial shade. More sun gives more flowers, as long as the soil stays moist; in hot climates, afternoon shade helps.

Plant Attributes

Native fragrant shrub , hardy, disease-resistant, easy to maintain, deer usually leave it alone

Featured Reviews

4.8 (46 reviews) View all reviews See all

jan skinner

I was pleased to get 4 instead of two. Tw o extra little ones were thrown in! I put them in pots to develop a root ball and they are already leafing out. I hope they are the ones that smell like my childhood memories

Ronny Eagle

Bush was nice and green with great little 🌱 sprouts and it is doing wonderful!

Sue Greer

I received three pieces of shrub roots to plant. I am so excited to watch these shrubs grow. My Grandmother had this shrub and I always loved it. Found it again at a visit to Mount Vernon and then found it at your nursery. Thank You !!

About this plant

Carolina Allspice Details

Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus)

Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is an aromatic shrub native to the eastern US, where it grows wild in woodlands and along stream banks. It does best in rich, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade, and it usually reaches six to ten feet tall and about as wide.

Highly Aromatic Shrub

Step outside on a warm spring evening, and you'll often smell Carolina allspice before you see it. The fragrance is a mixture of sweet and spicy that reminds you of strawberries with a dash of cinnamon, though some people pick up notes of ripe banana or pineapple. The fragrance is one of the main attractions of this shrub, so put yours where you'll pass it every day: beside a path, near the porch, or under a window you like to leave open.

The flowers aren't the only fragrant part. Crush a leaf or scratch a twig and you'll get a spicy smell with a touch of camphor. That's how this shrub picked up its other common names, sweetshrub and strawberry bush.

Carolina Allspice Has Deep Burgundy Blooms

The flowers open in mid to late spring, usually April into May. The flower itself is a deep burgundy to brown color, about two inches across, with many narrow, strap-like petals. Small beetles, not bees, do most of the pollinating. They crawl in among the petals to feed. Through summer, the leaves stay glossy and dark green, then turn yellow in fall. Brown, urn-shaped seed pods often hang on through winter. Those seeds are poisonous if eaten, so keep children and pets from chewing on them.

When collecting these flowers, wait until they are fully opened and most fragrant. Use clean, sharp shears to cut flowers and take only a few stems from each plant so the shrub keeps flowering. These flowers can also be harvested for use in potpourri and scented sachets because of their pleasant fragrance.

The History of Carolina Allspice

Carolina allspice has been grown in Southern gardens since the 1700s. Its spicy bark and leaves were once used as a cinnamon substitute and a home remedy, and early settlers prized it as an ornamental. Today, the shrub is a popular choice for many garden landscapes, and it's easy to see why. It's simple to grow, it smells wonderful in spring, and it has been part of Southern gardens for a very long time.

Many people know Carolina allspice from an older relative's yard, and one whiff of the blooms can bring those memories right back. Years ago, Southern women tucked the flowers into a pocket or handkerchief to carry the scent through the day. Gardeners still plant it to help create the feeling of a “secret garden”, a quiet corner where you can sit for a while and enjoy the fragrance. As a native shrub, it fits naturally into Eastern landscapes and connects your garden to the woodlands where it has always grown.

Carolina Allspice for Sale: Easy to Grow

If you're looking at Carolina allspice for sale, here's what you need to know. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and grows in full sun to partial shade. More sun means more flowers, as long as the soil stays moist. It handles clay and slowly spreads by suckers, so space plants 5 to 6 feet apart, or cut the suckers back if you want a single clump. Prune right after it flowers. It grows well along woodland edges, near a porch or path, and shrub borders. Deer usually leave it alone.

This plant ships bare root. Soak the roots for a couple of hours, plant with the crown at soil level, water deeply, and mulch. Keep it watered through the first season. If it's slow to leaf out that first spring, give it time, because it's busy building roots.

Give it a season or two, and you'll have a shrub that greets you with its sweet, spicy scent every spring.

Planting & Growing Information

Ships: Ships Between November 15–29
Planting Zone: 4–9
Height at Maturity: 6–10 Feet
Water Needs: Moderate
Sun or Shade: Full sun and Partial shade
Bloom Season: April through May
Care: Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil; water weekly through the first growing season. Shape the shrub after flowering; cut back root suckers for a single clump. Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist and prevent weed growth.
Exposure: Grows in full sun to partial shade. More sun gives more flowers, as long as the soil stays moist; in hot climates, afternoon shade helps.
Plant Attributes: Native fragrant shrub, hardy, disease-resistant, easy to maintain, deer usually leave it alone

For more tips on planting, growing, and caring for Carolina Allspice, explore our Carolina Allspice guide. You can also browse our collection of shrubs to discover more flowering varieties for garden borders, woodland landscapes, and natural privacy screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s also called Aphrodite Sweetshrub Calycanthus. The blooms have a fruity scent like pineapple, strawberry, and banana.

Yes. Sweet shrubs bushes grow well in full sun or partial shade. For the most flowers, plant them where they get sunlight for a few hours a day.

Sweetshrubs growing zone ranges from 4 to 9. They handle mild winters and warm summers well.

Yes, it’s low maintenance and rarely bothered by pests. Just keep the soil moist, prune after flowering, and avoid letting it dry out.

Root system of a plant on soil with a trowel nearby

Why Buy Bare Root Plants From TN Nursery?

Since 1959, TN Nursery has grown and shipped quality bare root plants nationwide. Shipped during dormancy, bare-root plants develop strong root systems and establish quickly. Our experienced team carefully harvests and packages every order, providing growers with trusted plants backed by over 65 years of nursery experience.

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Deliciously Fragrant Flowers:

Carolina Allspice boasts aromatic blooms that fill your garden with a delightful, spicy-sweet scent. Its fragrance enhances outdoor gatherings and creates a sensory-rich environment.

Wildlife Friendly:

The fragrant flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing your garden's ecological health and supporting local wildlife. This natural attraction boosts biodiversity and garden vitality.

Adaptable to Different Conditions:

Thrives in a variety of soil types and light conditions, including full sun to partial shade, making it a flexible choice for diverse garden environments. Its adaptability ensures success in various planting scenarios.

Attractive, Unique Blooms:

Enjoy the unique appearance of its rich, reddish-brown flowers that stand out and add a touch of exotic charm to your landscape. Their deep, warm hues can brighten any garden space.

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Product Highlight

5 stars: 35 (76%)
4 stars: 11 (24%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

Beautiful, healthy plant that arrived in great shape. It’s already settling in nicely and looks great in the garden!

I’m really pleased with my Carolina Allspice from TN Nursery! It arrived healthy and was packed nicely for the trip. I planted it right away, and it’s settling in nicely so far. I’m looking forward to watching it grow and enjoying it in the garden for years to come. Definitely happy with this purchase!

Carolina Allspice

The Carolina Allspice is such a pretty shrub, and the deep-colored blooms really caught my eye. I love how natural and full it looks tucked in with the rest of my landscaping.

I got three extras

I got three extras. I had to give out to family, but mine is doing amazing.

The only reason for the four stars is because I got so many extra. I had a hard time finding people to give them to.

Healthy Carolina Allspice with Incredible Fragrance

The Carolina Allspice plant I received from TN Nursery was robust and full of life. Its rich fragrance makes my garden feel more inviting than ever.

Carolina Allspice That Transformed My Garden

I purchased Carolina Allspice from TN Nursery, and the plant quality was outstanding. It has quickly adapted and is producing vibrant, aromatic blossoms. Truly a remarkable shrub.

Stunning and Aromatic Carolina Allspice Plants

My Carolina Allspice arrived from TN Nursery perfectly packed and very fresh. The fragrance fills my garden, and I couldn’t be happier with the purchase.

Beautiful Carolina Allspice Shrubs for Home Gardens

The Carolina Allspice I bought from TN Nursery is flourishing wonderfully. It’s lush, fragrant, and already showing strong new growth. A fantastic addition to my landscape.

Fragrant Carolina Allspice from TN Nursery

I am so impressed with the Carolina Allspice I received! The scent is heavenly, and the shrub is adapting quickly to my soil. TN Nursery clearly cares about plant quality.

Exceptional Quality Carolina Allspice Shrubs

My Carolina Allspice from TN Nursery exceeded my expectations. The packaging was secure, and the plant was vibrant and ready to thrive. It’s now blooming beautifully in my backyard.

Carolina Allspice Plants Arrived Thriving

I ordered Carolina Allspice from TN Nursery, and the shrubs arrived in excellent condition with healthy roots. The fragrance is intoxicating, and it’s already becoming a centerpiece in my garden.

healthy

I was pleased to get 4 instead of two. Tw o extra little ones were thrown in! I put them in pots to develop a root ball and they are already leafing out. I hope they are the ones that smell like my childhood memories

Great

Bush was nice and green with great little 🌱 sprouts and it is doing wonderful!

I Love the shrub roots that I received - Carolina Allspice.

I received three pieces of shrub roots to plant.
I am so excited to watch these shrubs grow.
My Grandmother had this shrub and I always loved it. Found it again at a visit to Mount Vernon and then found it at your nursery. Thank You !!

Allspice all around

We have ordered several things this year. All have been nice plantings. As some call sticks they have all leafed out and are doing great so far. It's better to get them in "Stick form" than to be all leafed out. It's getting to warm to ship all leafed out. Be patient.

Carolina Allspice

They are wonderful cuttings & thanks for the extra one. That is very kind of you.

Highly recommended

Our shrubs were big and healthy. Shipping was fast. It was a smooth transaction and the product was good.

Awesome

Great customer service. Plants in great shape.
K Warren Macon Ga

Love native plants

I’ve wanted to get these sweet shrubs since I saw them in my book on native plants. I’m very hopeful that they will thrive

Very Satisfied

Received my Dormant plants and they are planted around the back yard. Excited to see them take off! Thank you for a good product.

Delivery of bare root shrubs

Received my Carolina Allspice in good condition and exactly when they were due to arrive

Carolina Allspice

Arrived in great shape, very good size, with a healthy looking root system. Looking forward to seeing how it does in the spring!

great bush

it is dormant now-hope it buds out in the spring

Carolina Alspice

Bare root. Quick delivery. Great packaging.

Good Value

Plant looks healthy so hopefully it will thrive in my garden.Can't wait to see it leaf out and bloom this spring/summer.

Eagerly awaiting spring…

…when my baby sweet spice and witch hazels will do their thing!

Arrived very healthy looking

It looks like TN Nursery picked out healthy plants to ship.
They have since been planted so next spring will tell the results.

Carolina Allspice arrived

The plant arrived in great shape. Still had some leaves. The plant was ordered quite awhile ago and arrived in November for fall planting. I will order again from TN Nursery.

Great Plant

When this came in I was surprised to see that it already had flowers on the plant. Thank you so much for delivering such a wonderful plant.

great plant

My Carolina allspice arrived with a few other plants. It was the healthiest of the plants and has thrived. I planted it immediately and it has grown and leafed out beautifully. I would purchase this plant again.

Carolina Allspice

Great product, leaves are popping up right after planting.