Sweet Shrub
Calycanthus floridus
Native to the southeastern United States, this hardy shrub was extensively planted at Monticello. Its other common names include: Bubby Flower, Carolina Allspice, Sweet Betsy, and Strawberry Bush, in reference to the flowers' strawberry-like fragrance.
This southeastern native is known by several names: Bubby Flower, Sweet Shrub, Strawberry Bush, and Sweet Betsy. Thomas Jefferson the recorded planting of Sweet Shrub at Monticello on March 7, 1778. He planted more in 1794, 1812, and 1815. He gave them as gifts to fellow gardeners and included them in a box of American plants shipped to Madame de Tessé.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Between April and October, all house tours come with a free guided Garden Tour, or you can explore the grounds on your own with the Bloomberg Connects App
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
