eastern sweetshrub
Calycanthus floridus
USDA zones4 to 9
SunHandles full sun or partial sun or full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size6 to 12 feet tall6 to 12 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Red
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Eastern sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) is a shrub for borders, specimen planting, woodland gardens, and shade gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist, loamy or clay soil. Its red flowers open from early to late spring and into early summer. The blooms are fragrant and attract butterflies and bees. It sits low on the menu for deer.
Pairs well with Christmas fern, Paris coral bells, and Fire Island hosta.
Native range
AL, CT, FL, GA, and 15 more places. See all 19
AL, CT, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV.