Plant of the week: Carolina allspice

Plant of the weekGardening adviceAn aromatic, handsome shrub that produces an edible spice

What is it? It's a little bit country. Hailing from the Appalachian and Smoky mountains, this is a spice-producing bush to enjoy from your porch swing. Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is a lovely thing, a compact and handsome shrub (growing to 2.5m in height and 3m spread), with glossy leaves and small, deep red, waxy flowers. The leaves have buttery autumn colour. The whole plant – flowers, leaves, bark and all – is highly aromatic. Crush a leaf for a nose full of cinnamon, or wait for the flowers to open and waft spicily in spring and early summer.

Plant it with? It grows naturally as understorey, so does well under trees, and looks good among woodlanders such as ferns and foxgloves.

And where? Home is in moist, slightly acidic, humus-rich woodland in the southern US, but it is remarkably unfussy about finding itself elsewhere. In our cooler climate, the wood ripens best in full sun.

What else does it do? It produces an edible and delicious spice. Snip off twigs and allow them to dry out in the sun or a low oven, then smash up the bark and use like cinnamon.

Any drawbacks? The flowers and seeds are poisonous.

Buy it Buy one plant for £24.95 or two for £39.90 (prices include UK mainland p&p). To order, call 0330 333 6851, quoting ref GUPW296, or visit our Reader Offers page. Supplied in a three-litre container and delivered within 28 days.

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