New for 2022, this sweetshrub has fragrance, color to last

Norman Winter
·3 min read

The African elephant is known for having the longest gestation period of any animal, which lasts up to 22 months. This is like the proverbial New York Minute when it is compared to bringing a new shrub to market. Take for instance crossing two native sweetshrubs to finally get one worthy of the name Simply Scentsational.

Read More: These long-blooming flowers designated 2022 as Year of the Verbena

Tim Wood aka The Plant Hunter did just that and now after just over a dozen years and thousands of sniffs, Simply Scentsational will make its debut in the spring of 2022. It is true, granny's sweetshrub is now a more beautiful deep burgundy red with a fragrance that will send you into a state of euphoria.

Simply Scentsational sweetshrub will be making its debut in 2022 promising the garden an unmatched fragrance, the kind that will make indelible memories for children and grandchildren. Branches of can be cut for the vase bringing nature’s heavenly aroma indoors for all to enjoy.
Simply Scentsational sweetshrub will be making its debut in 2022 promising the garden an unmatched fragrance, the kind that will make indelible memories for children and grandchildren. Branches of can be cut for the vase bringing nature’s heavenly aroma indoors for all to enjoy.

Simply Scentsational is an upright grower reaching 6 feet in height with a spread of 5 feet. It is recommended for hardiness zones 4-9. Botanically speaking Calycanthus floridus is native in some 20 plus states in the Eastern United States, as far north as New York and south to Florida. In addition to the name sweetshrub it is also called Carolina allspice and spicebush. Those names tell you a lot, try cutting a stem or two for the vase.

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The first time I saw the native sweetshrub I instantly fell in love with it, the small deep burgundy flowers and fragrance was an instant lure. I would see them at old homes and plant swaps, but almost never in the marketplace.

And: These sweetspires will sweeten the air with their multiple blooms

The western United States is not without their own version. The California allspice, Calycanthus occidentalis, is somewhat similar, thinner petals and a little less fragrance. Both native versions, however, have been used in breeding to turn the sweetshrub world upside down.

Aphrodite is a hybrid sweetshrub with western United States DNA and produces large cup-like flowers with a magnolia resemblance. Aphrodite is a sweetshrub with both a larger plant and flowers reaching 8 feet tall. The light fragrance reminds some of pineapples and apples.
Aphrodite is a hybrid sweetshrub with western United States DNA and produces large cup-like flowers with a magnolia resemblance. Aphrodite is a sweetshrub with both a larger plant and flowers reaching 8 feet tall. The light fragrance reminds some of pineapples and apples.

Simply Scentsational will now give Proven Winners an outstanding duo as they also have Aphrodite, which comes courtesy of North Carolina State University breeding. It is a hybrid between the California allspice, and an Asian species x Sinocalycanthus. Aphrodite is even larger reaching up to 8-feet tall with a spread of 7 feet.

Not only is the plant larger but so are the red-cupped flowers that remind some of magnolia blossoms. The fragrance is described as fruity with aromas of pineapples and apples. This will be a case of does your nose know what my nose knows. The bloom age and time of day also play a role in the olfactory experience. These shrubs are cold hardy from zones 5 to 9 and perform best in fertile well drained soil in full sun to part shade. The more sun the moisture that will be needed.

As true to the native species expect them to offer root suckers. Remove these to create a more picturesque structure. On the other hand, this trait is what makes them one of the better screens for the landscape. The yellow fall leaf color is a great addition to the woodland garden where it will stand out from quite a distance. Many will also be ecstatic to know these are not on the deer menu!

Norman Winter
Norman Winter

Norman Winter is a horticulturist and national garden speaker. He is a former director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens. Follow him on Facebook at Norman Winter “The Garden Guy.” See more photos and columns by Norman at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/home-garden/.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: New sweetshrub Simply Scentsational to be introduced