Calycanthus floridus 
(Bubby Bush, Carolina Allspice, Florida Spice Bush, Strawberry Shrub, Sweet Betsy, Sweet Shrub)

Comments:  Calycanthus floridus or Bubby Bush or Carolina Allspice or Florida Spice Bush or Strawberry Shrub or Sweet Betsy or Sweet Shrub or Calycanthus sterilis is a hardy shrub  with a vigorous growth habit.  It is a native of.  It is a native of southeast USA.  In mid-Spring, Calycanthus floridus produces abundant fragrant, reddish-maroon blossoms followed later by interesting teardrop-shaped seeds.  It has dark green smooth aromatic foliage.  Bubby Bush is easily propagated from cuttings, rootball divisions or suckers.  Carolina Allspice thrives best in well-drained, mildly acidic or neutral soil in a sunny to part shade location.  Florida Spice Bush seeds do not come true to the parent and are poisonous.  Deers tend to avoid Strawberry Shrub.  In the evening, the flowers emits a sweet apple-cinnamon aroma.  The scent of the bark and bruised foliage are much stronger.  Mass plant Sweet Betsy in the shady landscape for a natural perfume garden.  It is a fast grower and soon forms a thicket.  Sweet Shrub makes good understory plants.  In olden days, it was popularly used as a spice.  Women would stuff their bosum with the sweet smelling flowers.  The dried blossoms of Calycanthus sterilis make wonderful sachets for closets or drawers.  Florida Spice Bush is popularly grown by many hobbyists.