Sweet Shrub is a homely shrub with a heavenly scent. Native to the southeast, Sweet Shrub grows in part shade. It will reach heights of six to ten feet, and spreads indefinitely by suckering. Flowers of the species are nondescript, wine colored, and easy to overlook. Newer cultivars have larger, more attractive flowers but may not be as fragrant as the older type. The flowers have a scent that is described as a cross between strawberry and kiwi. Bruised foliage has a pleasant scent also.
Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus, pronounced kal-ee-KAN-thus FLOR-id-us) is perennial in zones 4-9. It will reach heights up to 12 feet in clay or loamy soil with an acidic or neutral pH. Flowers have strap-like petals (tepals) in shades of burgundy to brown. Newer cultivar ‘Athens’ has white flowers and ‘Aphrodite’ has a brighter red bloom than the straight species. ‘Hartlage Wine’ has larger, showier flowers.
Locate Sweet Shrub in a woodland garden to seating or pathways so that its fragrance can be enjoyed. Flowers are popular with pollinators and shrubs are usually ignored by deer.
This is the native version of Calycanthus, Sweet Shrub. Newer cultivars have larger flowers. Reports indicate that newer cultivar ‘Venus’ is equally fragrant.