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Lindera benzoin

northern spicebush

Lauraceae Eastern North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Fragrant (moderate)

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Lindera benzoin is a deciduous shrub in the laurel family, growing 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) tall and nearly as wide with a rounded, multi-stemmed form. The oval leaves, 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, are smooth-edged and release a spicy citrus scent when crushed, as do the twigs and bark. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, clusters of small yellow flowers line the bare stems. The species is dioecious, so only female plants, when pollinated, bear the bright red ellipsoidal drupes, about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long, that ripen in late summer and autumn. Foliage turns clear yellow before falling. Native to moist woodlands of eastern North America, it grows as an understory shrub and is a larval host for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. The aromatic fruit was historically dried and ground as a substitute for allspice, and the leaves brewed as a tea. It needs consistently moist soil and tends to thin out and grow sparse in dry or fully exposed sites.

Native Range

Native to eastern North America, from Ontario and Maine south to Florida and west to Texas and Kansas. It grows naturally in the understory of moist deciduous woodlands, along streams, and in damp ravines.

Suggested Uses

Used in woodland and native plant gardens, shrub borders, and rain gardens with moist soil. Suited to shaded sites where many flowering shrubs struggle. The fall berries and aromatic foliage support birds and the spicebush swallowtail.

How to Identify

Recognized by oval untoothed leaves and green twigs that give off a strong spicy, citrus aroma when scratched or crushed. In early spring the leafless stems carry small clusters of yellow flowers. Female plants ripen glossy red drupes in autumn, while foliage turns uniform yellow.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 12'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms in early spring, generally March to April, when clusters of small yellow flowers open along the bare twigs before the leaves expand. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The early flowers are a nectar source for emerging bees and other insects.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Green, turning yellow in autumn

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

Reaches mature size in 5-10 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in part shade to full sun in consistently moist, humus-rich, acidic soil with a pH around 5.0 to 6.5. Tolerates heavy shade but flowers and fruits more in brighter light. Holds a dense, rounded form with steady moisture and tends to grow open and sparse where soil dries out. Needs little pruning and is rarely troubled by pests or disease. For fruit, both a male and a female plant must be grown within pollinating distance.

Pruning

Needs minimal pruning. Remove dead or crowded stems in late winter while dormant to maintain an open framework. Old shrubs can be rejuvenated by cutting the oldest stems to the ground over several years.