Raulston’s allspice is a deciduous flowering shrub in the sweetshrub family (Calycanthaceae). The plant was bred by Richard Hartlage, an undergraduate at NC State University. It is a cross between the Chinese sweetshrub (Calycanthus chinensis ) and Carolina allspice ( Calycanthus floridus ) . The hybrid epithet honors J.C. Raulston (1940–1996), then Director of the North Carolina State Univ. Arboretum (now the JC Raulston Arboretum). This deciduous shrub usually grows 8 feet tall and wide but can reach up to 15 feet. It will do best in part shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil is kept moist enough. Plant in average, well-drained garden soil. It will tolerate amended sandy and clay soils but prefers fertile loamy soils. The shrub will spread by root suckers. If spread is not desired, these can be removed. The flowers are sterile and do not produce viable seeds. Mulch will help retain moisture. The deep maroon flowers are larger and showier than the parents and have a mild fragrance. They appear in spring and last into summer. Foliage is leathery green leaves that turn yellow in fall. Use this shrub in the shrub border, as a foundation plant, along a woodland area or let it spread in a naturalized area. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheCornus officinalisHydrangea arborescens Invincibelle® GroupMagnolia 'Jane'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Multi-trunked
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leathery green leaves have an asymmetrical base and margins with occasional and irregular teeth. Hairs are present on the undersides. They are ovate to elliptic and up to 7 inches long. The fall color is yellow.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower detail
3-inch deep maroon flowers have a mild scent. Individual blooms appear in late spring to early summer