Sweetshrub

Lustrous, dark green (pale beneath), ovate to elliptic leaves to 6" long turn golden yellow in fall. Leaves are aromatic when bruised. Also commonly called sweetshrub and strawberry bush because of the reference to the fragrant blooms which have been described as combining hints of pineapple, strawberry and banana. It is utilized for shrub borders, foundations, and native plant areas. Flowers give way to brownish, urn-shaped fruits (seed capsules) which mature in fall and persist throughout the winter. Another common name is hairy allspice which is in reference to the hairy twigs and leaf undersides of this plant. Use as a specimen near front door, patio or other living areas where the fragrant flower aroma may be enjoyed. Prune immediately after flowering to shape or maintain compactness. It is easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It grows somewhat taller in shade than in sun, and it is tolerant of a wide range of soils, but prefers rich loam. It features very fragrant, brown to reddish-brown flowers (2" across) which bloom at the ends of short branchlets in May. The Sweetshrub, Calycanthus floridus, or Carolina allspice is a dense, rounded deciduous shrub with a suckering habit which grows 6-9' tall with an equal or slightly greater spread. Remove root suckers promptly if naturalization is not desired. ... additional info