Description

• Native to the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to northern Florida and west to Mississippi, Carolina allspice is a medium-sized shrub growing anywhere between 3 and 9 feet tall. It can spread anywhere from 6 to 12 feet. Plants prefer part shade and will not grow as tall if planted in full sun. They send up suckers and spread readily. Dark, wine-red flowers open in April or May and continue to bloom through summer. Leaves are large and dark green, turning yellow in the fall.
  
  

Soil and Planting

• Carolina allspice prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soil. They are not salt tolerant, so avoid soils with high salinity.They tolerate full sun, but grow best in dappled shade. Scent can vary from plant to plant and some will actually smell bad. Choose cultivars known for their scent or take cuttings from good-smelling shrubs. Cuttings do not always root reliably, but take them in July, scrape one side of each stem and dip them in a talc-based rooting material and place them in a sandy medium, for best results. Root suckers are the most reliable way to start new shrubs. They usually establish well if provided with good moisture until established.
  
  

Continued Care

• Care is simple if Carolina allspice shrubs are planted properly. Shrubs planted in moist, shady spots shouldn't need watering. They are moderately drought tolerant. Pruning is usually not necessary but if you do need to prune do so immediately after flowering.
  
  

Problems

• This sweet-smelling shrub is generally problem free, but a few diseases can cause damage. In poorly drained soil they can be affected by Phytophthora or Pythium root rots, so ensure good drainage before planting. Bacterial crown gall can cause warty bumps on stems near the soil. There is no control for this, University of Florida Extension recommends removing and destroying infected plants. Powdery mildew can also be a problem on plants without adequate airflow.