Calycanthus floridus: Carolina Allspice

Latin name: Calyanthus floridus
Common name: Carolina Allspice
Flowers: Brown or red blooms from May to July ¹⁰
Fruit: Brown seed pods in the fall ¹³
Height & Width: 6-10ft x 6-12ft ¹²
Type: Deciduous shrub ⁷
Habit: Dense, mounded ¹³
Wetland indicator category**: FACU ⁵
Texture: Medium ¹³
Growth rate: Medium ¹³
Light: Full sun ⁷
Moisture: Medium ¹²
Soil*: Moist, well-drained soil ¹³
Zones: 4-9 ¹⁹
Origin: Pennsylvania, south to Florida ¹⁶
Ecosystem benefits: Butterfly nectar at blooms, insects feed on flowers ¹³
Features: Low maintenance, is tolerant of clay soil, attracts butterflies and pollinators, resistant to deer and heat ¹³, fragrant, showy flowers, adapts to many types of soil, and is very resistant to disease and insect problems. ¹⁰.

Siting: Can be used near entrances or pathways as a fragrant bush, or as a shrub border and in a native garden ¹².

Care: Plant crown at soil level ¹⁸. At planting, water the roots and surrounding area slowly and deeply. Keep soil moist until plant is established, then apply enough water to thoroughly moisten the root zone when the soil is dry or during drought. Modify water recommendations to reflect site drainage and rainfall. Apply 3” of mulch over the planted area. Do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems ¹⁸.

Pests: Plants are relatively pest resistant if cultural preferences are met ¹⁸.

• USDA SC Invasive Plant Species Web site at http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/main.shtml
• SC Exotic Plant Pest Council Web site at http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/

Author: Emma Hanson

Image source: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/euonymus-americanus/

Sources:

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