Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a shrub that people seem to be familiar with (and have fond memories of) but it doesn’t get planted a lot. It is native throughout much of the state and thrives in shade so it should get used more often. It is often fragrant, with a spicy smell that gives it another common name, Carolina allspice. Another common name is sweet bubby bush.

It is easy to propagate from seed and grows vigorously when given ideal conditions. There are a couple of cultivars out in the nursery trade: ‘Michael Lindsey’ is a red form with good fragrance, while ‘Athens’ is a yellow-flowered form also with good fragrance.

Source: Georgia Native Plant Society