Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) adds three-season interest to woodland edges and moist garden sites. You get aromatic leaves and twigs, tiny yellow-green spring flowers before leaf-out, and (on female plants with a nearby male) clusters of bright red fruit later in the season.

Plan for a mature size around 72-120 in. tall with a similar spread, forming a rounded, multi-stemmed shrub. It can be used as a naturalizing shrub in dappled understory light, or as a specimen where you want fragrance and wildlife activity close to paths and seating areas.

Give it moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, and keep new plantings evenly watered until established. It performs best in partial shade, but it can take more sun if the soil does not dry out; in deeper shade it will still grow, though it may be less dense.

Spicebush is a strong wildlife plant. The fruits are valuable to birds, and the plant supports swallowtail butterfly larvae, making it a great fit for native and pollinator gardens. Because it is dioecious, plant at least one male and one female if fruit display is important to you.

Maintenance is simple: remove dead or crossing stems in late winter, and thin older stems at the base when needed to renew growth. Mulch to conserve soil moisture, but keep mulch off the stems. In autumn, foliage can turn yellow for an extra splash of seasonal color.

Specifications

• Cold hardiness zone: 5-9 (-20 degrees F) - Contact your local extension to confirm hardiness if you are in a fringe zone (we cannot guarantee hardiness in fringe zones)
• Light: Full sun   Part sun
• Mature height: 72-120"
• Spread: 72-120"
• Attracts: Birds
• Edible: Yes
• Fragrant: Yes
• Native to the U.S.: Yes

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