Calycanthus floridus
Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €23.
An unusual, dense shrub whose maroon, strap-petalled flowers open from late May into early summer and smell of strawberry and pineapple; the bark and leaves are spicily aromatic too when rubbed. Plant it by a terrace or path in moist but not wet soil in sun or part shade, as it copes poorly with drought. It slowly widens into a clump by root suckers, so remove the ones you do not want, and choose a plant in flower if you can, because the strength of the scent varies from plant to plant. Its similar hybrids Aphrodite and Venus have larger flowers.
| Group | Shrub |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade |
| Size after 10 years | 1.8 m × 1.5 m |
| Ultimate size | 1.8–3.6 m × 1–3.6 m |
| Hardiness | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous, Acidic |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Flowering | May–July, red |
| Water need | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Root aggressiveness | Low |
| Suckering | yes |
| Spreading | Medium |
| Distance from buildings | at least 1.5 m |
| Distance from paving | at least 0.5 m |
| Litter | not typical |
| Planting distance | 150 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic (uncertain) |
| For cats | Toxic (uncertain) |
| For children | Mildly toxic |
| Typical price | from about €23 |
Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.
The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.
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Size
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Typical price
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|---|---|
| size not stated | approx. €23 – €140 |
Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made
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