Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub

The Proven Winners Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus ‘SMNCAF’) is a game-changer for fragrant garden lovers! This reblooming native shrub flaunts deep reddish-maroon magnolia-like blooms with an intoxicating, spicy-sweet fragrance that combines hints of melon, banana, and gardenia. Bred for superior scent, it’s a standout among flowering bushes.

The blooms emerge in late spring and rebloom sporadically through summer. Flowers appear on old wood, clustered at the branch tips. Once pollinated, unusual urn-shaped seed pods may form and persist into winter.

Its broad, ovate leaves provide a fresh green backdrop and turn a rich yellow in fall, extending the season of interest. Its stems are upright and arching, with large, glossy, aromatic green leaves that release a light, fresh scent when brushed.

Native to the Southeastern U.S., Calycanthus floridus has long been used in herbal and home gardens for its fragrance and pollinator-friendly blooms. Also known as Carolina Allspice and used ornamentally and medicinally by Indigenous peoples. This hybrid cultivar is a fragrant improvement on the native shrub.

Key Features

• Intensely fragrant reddish-maroon flowers
• Reblooming variety on old wood
• Glossy green foliage with yellow fall color
• Rounded form, up to 6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide
• Native cultivar with pollinator appeal

Landscaping Uses

Rounded and densely branched, Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub is a perfect mid-border anchor or privacy screen. This flowering shrub can reach up to 6 feet tall with a rounded habit, 4-5 feet wide. Ideal for adding structure and scent to the landscape!

• Specimen or focal plant near patios and entries
• Mid-border shrub, fragrant hedge or privacy screen
• Pollinator and Cottage Garden must-have
• Understory shrub in woodland settings
• Foundation plantings and mixed shrub borders
• Ideal for sensory gardens and shaded understories

Care & Maintenance

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it’s ideal for a wide range of climates. Proven Winners Simply Scentsational is a deciduous, woody shrub thats surprisingly low-maintenance and cold-hardy.

• Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is ideal
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter climates
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerant of clay, loam, or slightly acidic conditions
• Moisture Needs: Keep evenly moist but not soggy. Use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch to keep roots cool and conserve water
• Fertilization Needs: Use compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring
• Pruning Info: Prune after flowering; blooms on old wood, so avoid early spring cuts
• Renewal Pruning: Every 3-5 years, remove oldest stems to the ground to encourage fresh growth
• Special Perks/Growing Tips:
• Extremely cold-hardy
• Deer-resistant and disease-resistant

Sweetly Scented & Simply Gorgeous

With its head-turning fragrance and deep maroon blooms, Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub is a must-have for any garden that prizes scent, pollinators, and native plant beauty. Order your Simply Scentsational Sweetshrub from Proven Winners and start enjoying this nostalgic fragrance powerhouse today from naturehills.com!