Carolina Allspice - Sweetshrub - Calycanthus floridus

[applestar]

Did I know that Carolina Allspice flowers smelled so good? I don't think so. I think it's only had something like 1/2 dozen flowers at a time before. But this year there are a lot more. I can't describe it -- fruity for sure, I was thinking berry-like and maybe strawberry ... Sweet with a sort of sour overripe/fermented fruit note. And look at the amazing color:

HGIC 1087 Sweetshrub : Extension : Clemson University : South Carolina
https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/p ... c1087.html

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) has many common names, including Carolina allspice, strawberry-bush, sweet bubby, sweet Betsy and spicebush. As these names indicate, it is valued for the sweet, often fruity fragrance of its flowers.

Now that I think about it, I've stood near it saying "WHAT is that smell? WHERE is it coming from?" -- looking everywhere but within my own garden... and never realizing it was these unassuming flowers.

[applestar]

I brought a flower sprig inside -- Got one DD to smell it and she said grape -- cantaloupe -- strawberry ... Mixture of all three.

[pinksand]

oooo I've been wanting one of these babies for a while now! I'm hoping to plant it in place of a patch of Rose of Sharon. The RoS are in a spot where they provide privacy though so It's hard to commit to taking them down and having to wait a while for privacy again. The neighbors house also just sold, so I'll have to see who moves in

You're definitely making me want to hack them down though so I can replace them with some Carolina Allspice and some other more interesting shrubs! I love how unusual and striking the blooms are against the bright green foliage and everything I've read mentions the fruity smell you've described. I've seen it listed as a "pineaple/strawberry" aroma.