Calycanthus floridus aka Carolina Allspice
Taxonomy
Calycanthus floridus, also known as the eastern sweetshrub, Carolina all spice, or spice bush, is a bushy and sometimes suckering deciduous shrub found in the Southeastern United States region. It can grow up to 2.5m high and has oval-shaped, glossy dark green leaves that turn red, orange, and yellow in autumn. The plant is identifiable by its dark red flowers with narrow strappy petals, which emit a sweet fragrance. These flowers bloom in late spring or early summer at the ends of short branchlets. After flowering, urn-shaped seed capsules appear. Carolina allspice is a dense, rounded shrub with a suckering habit, reaching a height of 6-9' and spreading equally or slightly greater. The flowers, ranging from brown to reddish-brown, are highly fragrant and bloom in May. The plant is considered non-invasive and has a conservation status of G5, indicating a low risk of extinction according to The Nature Conservancy.
Common names
Carolina Allspice, Sweetshrub, Strawberry Shrub, SpicebushHow to care for Carolina Allspice
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Carolina Allspice due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Carolina Allspice should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Carolina Allspice loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Carolina Allspice prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it's common for Carolina Allspice to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Carolina Allspice is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Carolina Allspice should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
Carolina Allspice grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.
Region of origin
Carolina Allspice’s native range is South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Alberta and West Virginia.
More info:
Wikipedia
