Northern Spicebush

Lindera Benzoin - Northern Spice Bush Northern Spice Bush‚ Lindera benzoin‚ is a native shrub in the laurel family‚ found in most of the eastern United States‚ its natural habitat is shaded woodlands‚ forests‚ and wetlands․ The fragrant leaves and colorful fruit make it an attractive addition to any landscape․ Characteristics It grows 6 to 12 feet tall and wide․ The leaves are pale-green‚ ovate‚ lobed‚ alternate and have a shiny surface on either side of the leaf․ The flowers are yellow-green and usually appear before the leaves in early Spring 2024․ The fruit is a long‚ red drupe and is eaten by birds and wildlife․ Northern Spice Bush in Cultural Context Native American tribes have long used the shrub medicinally; the bark‚ leaves‚ and berries were used to treat a number of conditions‚ including colds‚ fever‚ rheumatism‚ and vomiting․ It can be used in cooking, and the leaves and twigs impart a flavor․ Growing Conditions In its natural habitat‚ Northern Spice Bush grows in well-drained‚ organic-rich soils and full to partial sun shade․ It is considered that‚ as this is somewhat easy plant to grow‚ it is suitable for beginner and expert gardeners․ Landscaping Uses In cultivation it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for hedges‚ or as a border or specimen plant because of its fragrant foliage and bright fruit․ Because of the dense nature of the plant‚ it is also used as a screening plant․ This shrub is a versatile and attractive and adds color and fragrance to any garden or outdoor area․ The species has long been an important medicinal and edible plant to the Native Americans․ It is commonly used as a hedge‚ a border or a specimen plant․ It is a great addition to the garden both for its aesthetic and useful properties․ This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․ The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

Characteristics

It grows 6 to 12 feet tall and wide․ The leaves are pale-green‚ ovate‚ lobed‚ alternate and have a shiny surface on either side of the leaf․ The flowers are yellow-green and usually appear before the leaves in early Spring 2024․ The fruit is a long‚ red drupe and is eaten by birds and wildlife․ Northern Spice Bush in Cultural Context Native American tribes have long used the shrub medicinally; the bark‚ leaves‚ and berries were used to treat a number of conditions‚ including colds‚ fever‚ rheumatism‚ and vomiting․ It can be used in cooking, and the leaves and twigs impart a flavor․ Growing Conditions In its natural habitat‚ Northern Spice Bush grows in well-drained‚ organic-rich soils and full to partial sun shade․ It is considered that‚ as this is somewhat easy plant to grow‚ it is suitable for beginner and expert gardeners․ Landscaping Uses In cultivation it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for hedges‚ or as a border or specimen plant because of its fragrant foliage and bright fruit․ Because of the dense nature of the plant‚ it is also used as a screening plant․ This shrub is a versatile and attractive and adds color and fragrance to any garden or outdoor area․ The species has long been an important medicinal and edible plant to the Native Americans․ It is commonly used as a hedge‚ a border or a specimen plant․ It is a great addition to the garden both for its aesthetic and useful properties․ This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․ The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

Northern Spice Bush in Cultural Context

Native American tribes have long used the shrub medicinally; the bark‚ leaves‚ and berries were used to treat a number of conditions‚ including colds‚ fever‚ rheumatism‚ and vomiting․

Growing Conditions

In its natural habitat‚ Northern Spice Bush grows in well-drained‚ organic-rich soils and full to partial sun shade․ It is considered that‚ as this is somewhat easy plant to grow‚ it is suitable for beginner and expert gardeners․ Landscaping Uses In cultivation it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for hedges‚ or as a border or specimen plant because of its fragrant foliage and bright fruit․ Because of the dense nature of the plant‚ it is also used as a screening plant․ This shrub is a versatile and attractive and adds color and fragrance to any garden or outdoor area․ The species has long been an important medicinal and edible plant to the Native Americans․ It is commonly used as a hedge‚ a border or a specimen plant․ It is a great addition to the garden both for its aesthetic and useful properties․ This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․ The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

Landscaping Uses In cultivation it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for hedges‚ or as a border or specimen plant because of its fragrant foliage and bright fruit․ Because of the dense nature of the plant‚ it is also used as a screening plant․ This shrub is a versatile and attractive and adds color and fragrance to any garden or outdoor area․ The species has long been an important medicinal and edible plant to the Native Americans․ It is commonly used as a hedge‚ a border or a specimen plant․ It is a great addition to the garden both for its aesthetic and useful properties․ This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․ The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

In cultivation it is cultivated as an ornamental plant for hedges‚ or as a border or specimen plant because of its fragrant foliage and bright fruit․ Because of the dense nature of the plant‚ it is also used as a screening plant․ This shrub is a versatile and attractive and adds color and fragrance to any garden or outdoor area․ The species has long been an important medicinal and edible plant to the Native Americans․ It is commonly used as a hedge‚ a border or a specimen plant․ It is a great addition to the garden both for its aesthetic and useful properties․ This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․ The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

This is a shrub best planted near a walkway so that passersby can brush against the leaves and benefit from the sweet smell for which it was named‚ since leaves‚ springs‚ flowers, and even the bark all have a lovely scent․

The shrub grows between 6 and 12 feet high (although it is much wider than it is tall)‚ and it is found in North America along streams and in wet woodlands․ Being dioecious‚ the tree produces male and female plants․ To get red olive-shaped fruit‚ the tree must be planted along with both male and female plants of the species․ This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

This species flowers from March to May․ The flowers are borne along the branches and are green-yellow in color․ Compared to the female flowers‚ the male flowers are much larger․ Flowering bushes prefer full sun but can also tolerate deep shade․ In the northern part of its range‚ it is best planted in full sun‚ while in the southern part of the range‚ partial shade․ In full sun it is relatively dense‚ whereas in shade it is more open․ It has medium water needs and does not require any special treatment while becoming established except that the transplanted fibrous roots should be kept moist for some time․ Soil must be rich‚ well-drained‚ well-aerated‚ and acidic․ The thick oblong to oval-shaped leaves are around 5 inches (13 cm) long and light green‚ though they turn buttery yellow in the fall․ It is used not only to line pathways but also as a hedge and to construct rain gardens․ Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

Its fruit attracts birds, and the shrub is a larval host plant for the caterpillar of the beautiful shrub swallowtail butterfly, but it is generally unaffected by disease or pests․

Plant bare-root stock as soon as it arrives, in well-drained soil with full to partial sun unless noted otherwise above. Water deeply once a week during the first growing season to establish a strong root system.

Dug and shipped bare-root during your zone's dormant window, packed to arrive fresh. Every order is backed by our first-season establishment guarantee — we'll replace it for you.