Everything points to 2022 gardens being Simply Scentsational

The African elephant is known for having the longest gestation period of any animal, which lasts up to 22 months. This is the proverbial New York minute when it is compared to bringing a new shrub to market. Take, for instance, crossing two native sweetshrubs to finally get one worthy of the name “Simply Scentsational.”

Tim Wood, aka The Plant Hunter, did just that. And now, after just over a dozen years and thousands of sniffs, Simply Scentsational will make its debut in spring 2022. Granny’s sweetshrub is now a more beautiful deep burgundy red with a fragrance that will send you into a state of euphoria.

Simply Scentsational is an upright grower, reaching 6 feet in height with a spread of 5 feet. It is recommended for hardiness zones 4-9. Botanically speaking, Calycanthus floridus is native in 20-plus states in the Eastern United States, as far north as New York and south as Florida. In addition to the name sweetshrub, it is also called Carolina allspice and spicebush. Those names tell you a lot. Try cutting a stem or two for the vase.

The first time I saw the native sweetshrub, I instantly fell in love with it. The small deep burgundy flowers and fragrance were an instant lure. I would see them at old homes and plant swaps, but almost never in the marketplace.

The Western U.S. is not without its own version. The California allspice, Calycanthus occidentalis, is somewhat similar, with thinner petals and a little less fragrance. Both native versions, however, have been used in breeding to turn the sweetshrub world upside down.