Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus), packet of 10 seeds
$3.95
Family: Sweetshrub (Calycanthaceae)
Hardy to Zones 5 to 11
(Eastern Sweetshrub) Deciduous shrub to 10 feet tall, flowering in large, terminal, aromatic, dark red blossoms. Native to eastern and southern USA, from Virginia to Florida. The foliage is leathery, shiny, aromatic. Disease and insect resistant. Traditional use (TNAM, TWM): used externally as a skeletal muscle relaxant. Also treats neuralgia. The dried bark or dried twigs may be ground up to make an edible and tasty spice akin to cinnamon. The seeds and flowers, however, can prove toxic if ingested. Easily grown from seed. Nick through the seedcoat with a sharp blade, soak overnight in water, and the next day plant the seeds in warm, fast-draining mix. Germination takes 4 weeks. Space plants 6 feet apart.
10 seeds/pkt, Open-pollinated, Untreated, No GMO’s
Out of stock
Question
Juniper Lighthouse –
Hi. This isn’t the allspice you get at the grocery store because the pods are not edible. Is that correct? Thank you.
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Richo Cech –
this one is used for the bark, not the seeds
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Kate –
Are there any companion plants that you would recommend, to provide a close to natural habitat for allspice? I have one planted, but I am getting the impression that it wants some familiar friends around to commune with.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kate,
Thanks for staying in touch. I imagine any low-growing and shade-tolerant herbaceous perennials would do well. I have one that shelters a population of cowslip and sweet violets, both of which are available on this website. Climbing plants might be considered also–although most fastidious gardeners abhor the idea–I like vines in and around woody perennials. You might consider wild yam, which is native to your area and a well-respected medicinal herb. Richo
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