Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus). Keep that scientific name handy since I discovered if you Google “Carolina Allspice” you will get all sorts of things that are not this shrub.
Carolina Allspice grows to 6 – 9 feet tall, and is native to the southeastern US, where it is found at woodland edges and openings. Its blooms are about 2 inches across. Those blooms have a pleasant fruit scent which varies from bush to bush.
The leathery leaves grow to 6 inches long and turn yellow in autumn. Deer don’t find Carolina Allspice tempting. Amazing. Surely if they’re really hungry they’ll nibble on it.
Love this plant. Easy to grow easy to propagate from suckers.
I have 2 of these bushes in my yard and they are so pretty. Sadly, they do not have that sweet smell. I wonder why. Thanks for your post.