How to Grow and Care for Carolina allspice

Carolina allspice, also known as Eastern sweetshrub, Common sweetshrub, Carolina sweetshrub, Strawberry bush, Bubby bush, Sweet bubby, Spicebush

Carolina allspice is a deciduous shrub known for its ease of care, making it suitable for novice gardeners. The most critical special care point for carolina allspice is ensuring it is planted in well-draining soil with moderate moisture; it prefers partial to full sun exposure. Pruning is minimal, focusing on removing any dead or diseased wood to encourage healthy growth.

Watering schedule: Every 1-2 weeks

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

Toxic to Humans

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Planting and Growing Carolina allspice

Toughness	High
Care Level	Low
Care Difficulty	Easy
Lifespan	Perennial
Watering Schedule	Every 1-2 weeks
Sunlight Requirements	Partial sun
Soil Type	Garden Soil
Soil pH	5.5-7
Planting Time	Spring, Fall
Hardiness Zones	4-10
Toxicity	Toxic to Humans

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Varieties of Carolina allspice

Carolina allspice 'Aphrodite'

Carolina allspice 'Aphrodite' is a cultivar bred from Carolina allspice. It is named 'Aphrodite' for its large red blooms and sweet fragrance. This is also what makes the plant different from other shrubs in the family. Another defining characteristic is that carolina allspice 'Aphrodite' produces glossy foliage that still looks gorgeous in the garden when the plant isn’t in bloom.

Sweetshrub 'Venus'

Sweetshrub 'Venus' flaunts alluring, large white flowers with purple centers that evoke a striking visual contrast. With a blooming period from late spring through summer, its fragrant blooms exude a fruity aroma, enhancing garden appeal. This deciduous shrub, adaptable to various soil conditions, thrives best in full sun to partial shade, showcasing lustrous green foliage which gracefully responds to its environmental cues.

Sweetshrub 'Hartlage Wine'

Sweetshrub 'Hartlage Wine' boasts large, wine-red flowers with a luxurious, velvety texture, which contrast strikingly against its glossy green leaves. A noteworthy hybrid, it exemplifies resilience and adaptability, thriving in a range of temperate climates. Its sweet, spicy fragrance entices pollinators, ensuring its proliferation within diverse gardens.

Common Pests & Diseases

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The Toxicity of Carolina allspice

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More General Info About Carolina allspice

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Quickly Identify Carolina allspice

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Carolina allspice typically reaches a height and spread of 6-12 feet (1.8-3.6 meters) with a tendency to be as wide or slightly wider than it is tall. Its leaves are arranged oppositely, featuring a grey-green color and a pubescent texture on the underside. The bark emits a noticeable aroma when bruised. This deciduous shrub is characterized by its solitary maroon flowers, which emerge on short axillary shoots, and are renowned for their fruit-like scent, evoking pineapple, strawberry, and banana, particularly in warmer temperatures.