Deciduous Perennial Shrub in the Calycanthaceae Family
Buy Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub
Size
Notes
Price
Availability
Large, magnolia-type red blooms with a fruity fragrance bloom from spring into summer. An excellent specimen or focal point in the garden. Blooms on both old and new wood.
Calycanthus floridus 'Simply Scentsational' is a compact, fragrant selection of the native Carolina Allspice shrub. This cultivar typically grows 4-6 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded, multi-stemmed habit. In spring and early summer, the plant produces an abundance of unusual, maroon-red flowers that emit a sweet, spicy aroma reminiscent of strawberries or bananas. The showy blooms, which resemble magnolia flowers, are followed by attractive, green foliage that turns yellow in fall. 'Simply Scentsational' thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial shade to full sun, depending on the climate. Its relatively small stature and prolific, perfumed flowers make this cultivar well-suited for planting in borders, foundation plantings, or containers on patios and decks, where passersby can appreciate the captivating fragrance. The shrub's long bloom period and tolerance for a range of growing conditions also allow it to be effectively incorporated into mixed shrub beds or woodland-style landscapes.
Pros
Abundant maroon-red, magnolia-like flowers with a sweet, spicy fragrance
Blooms on both old and new wood for an extended, reliable floral show
Deer resistant and low maintenance once sited in moist, well-drained soil
Compact, rounded habit fits smaller gardens better than the straight species
Cons
Not drought tolerant; needs consistently moist soil to perform well
Individual flowers last only about two to three weeks before fading
Can sucker over time, like other Calycanthus floridus selections
We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!
Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants
Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.
Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.
Estimated Recipe Cost
The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.
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About Ordering From The Plant Club
To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.
Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!
No Pricing or Availability Right Now
We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region.
It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.
Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!
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