Calycanthus Species, Eastern Sweetshrub, Carolina Allspice, Spicebush, Sweet Betsy

Calycanthusfloridus var. glaucus

Genus
Calycanthus (kal-ee-KAN-thus)
Synonym
Calycanthus glaucus
Calycanthus floridus var. laevigatus
Calycanthus fertilis
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
This plant is resistant to deer
Shiny/Glossy
Height
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
Seed is poisonous if ingested
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Maroon/Burgundy
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Herbs
Shrubs
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
Seed Collecting
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Albertville, Alabama

Chunchula, Alabama

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Greenville, Indiana

Natchez, Mississippi

Elba, New York

Boone, North Carolina

Waynesville, North Carolina

Hallieford, Virginia

Petersburg, Virginia

Vienna, Virginia

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
C
ROSLINDALE, MA | July 2016 | positive

This species is hardy to Z4.

It does well in full sun here in Boston Z6a.

The variety differs from the oth...Read More

R
R
Great Falls, VA (Zone 6b) | July 2016 | positive

I love my calycanthus, it's probably 8 feet tall. I have had it for 2 or 3 years and it blooms almost continuously. My only complaint is ...Read More

S
S
Bucklin, MO (Zone 5b) | May 2010 | neutral

Just bought an Eastern Sweetshrub and the tag said hardy to zone 5. I hope this is the case as we are in north Missouri. Will update as...Read More

B
Lakemont, GA (Zone 8a) | March 2007 | neutral

Calycanthus fertilis SWEETSHRUB Dec (z6) (ENa,Fra)
We're solving a mystery:some books say C.fertilis is more fragrant,some say C....Read More

Featured
Blue Bottle Fly
(Calliphora vicina)
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
(Coracina papuensis)
Featured
Blue Bottle Fly
(Calliphora vicina)
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
(Coracina papuensis)