Calycanthus floridus (sweetshrub)

[@heather_e]

I wish more people utilized this shrub. It's beautiful all year long and the fragrance is intoxicating. It stops you in your tracks and make you want to investigate that smell. I've always thought the blooms smells like a mixture of applesauce & Tropical Punch Kool Aid. When you break the twigs, I swear it smells like lemonade. 😂 It does not have a floral aroma at all. The current bush I have has been propagated throughout the years from my great great grandparent's land in the coalfields of WV. If you can get it to grow, I don't think you'll be disappointed at all with this shrub.

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

I'm definitely seeing more of them in cultivated landscapes! And I love hearing everyone's descriptions of the smell, but sometimes they don't seem to have any odor at all.

[@HandcraftedintheFoothills]

Just purchased one yesterday for my backyard garden❤

[@lesw3803]

Planting in zone 8b/9a on the Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast. Thinking on the East side of my house 10 feet away from the foundation so it ecieves some afternoon shade. Does this shrub grow quickly?

[@ahtamclovin]

Where do I get your hat 🧢?

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

The NC State Forestry Club has hats for sale! Slightly different designs now and stock is pretty low. Contact them through Instagram @ncsuforestryclub.

[@Misslou2425]

I heard some say that it only has a scent for one day.... That cant possibly be true, is it?

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

The scent varies...Bartram described traveling through "odiferous groves" in the NC mountains, while other plants seem to have no scent at all! The fragrant ones I've encountered lasted more than one day, but that's anecdotal.

[@紫荆-z3w]

Would you pls teach us how to prune this tree

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

Hi! See my response to @rudyferrell, above.

[@jodymontez693]

I live in southern Colorado (5b). Do you think it will grow here? Or survive the winter? It says it will grow in zone5. Had a few days of -14 this winter. Looks like a pretty bush. Thanks

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

I am surprised to hear that it's rated for zone 5! It's a tropical shrub. However, it is commonly found in our North Carolina mountains, so maybe it is worth a try. The flowers are really lovely.

[@Kimmytran58]

Is this plant leaves edible?Thanks!

[@rudyferrell]

@@ncstatedendrology6721 we have 5 sweet Betsy's in our yard and I was wondering when a good time to cut them back ?

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

@@rudyferrell - I checked Growing and Propagating Showy Native Woody Plants by Richard Bir, but there was no information on pruning other than the fact that they will get 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide (I've seen larger in the wild). NC State's Extension Gardener Toolbox recommends pruning after flowering. If you prune now, you will not have blooms next year. More info: extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu/extgardener-sweetshrub-provides-alluring-fragrance-subtle-charm/

[@ncstatedendrology6721]

@@Kimmytran58 - not that I know of!

[@sillieshouse7206]

🙌