Carolina allspice Shrub

The Carolina allspice is a dense rounded shrub that will grow six to nine feet tall and about eight feet around. This plant is native to the United States from Virginia to Florida. The shrub does well in rich loam, but will tolerate a wide range of soils.

Growing

 

Planting in other zones than its native habitat should be done in late spring. Dig the hole three times the size of the root ball and about 1 ½ times as deep to ensure that there is enough room for the root ball to spread out. Amend the soil if needed with loam and peat. Water in very well and cover the raw soil with mulch 3 to 4 inches thick around the base of the trunk.

 

The blooms will form in May and will continue to produce blooms throughout the fall. The fragrant brownish red flowers will form urn shaped fruit that will mature in the fall. The lustrous dark green leaves turn a beautiful golden yellow in the fall. The flowers are full of fragrance and the leaves are aromatic when bruised.

 

Care

 

Pruning immediately after the flowering stage will help shape and maintain compactness of the shrub. This shrub will actually grow taller in the shade than in full sun.

 

Prune this shrub lightly twice a year, early spring and mid fall. This will ensure that the plant puts more effort into sending out new stems for flowers to be borne on than it will spend maintaining the older branches. Fertilize well early summer and late fall. Mulch very well and possibly cover the shrub with straw in the winter if the temperature in your area will be dropping below 9°F.

 

Hints of the tropics float in the air with the fragrance of this shrub. Hints of pineapple, bananas, and strawberries entice anyone to enter a walkway that sports these bushes. This plant is often used as a specimen plant near the front door, out on a patio or other areas that the delightful aroma is able to be enjoyed.

 

 

 

 

 

Note: These shrub do very well as container plantings as well and are a beautiful addition to any outdoor living space such as a patio or pool area. For many years southern homemakers have used the leaves of the Carolina allspice in sachets and drawer liners. Moths are discouraged and other insects are repelled, the clothing or containers smell delightful when Carolina allspice is used in this way.

 

Caution: Don't confuse the Carolina allspice shrub with the allspice plant,used to flavor foods. The shrubs' berries are poisonous in large quantities, so stick with buying allspice at the store.