Lindera benzoin - northern spice bush
DESCRIPTION
northern spice bush
Lindera benzoin
Every American Beauties garden should have a home for a plant this versatile and this easy to grow. Oval and upright, Spicebush is a perfect plant for grouping as a backdrop or screen in any garden in almost any location since it tolerates shadier, moist conditions without missing a beat. Tiny yellow-green flowers emerge before this plant's pungent foliage develops, providing early season nectar to native bees and butterflies. Deep green leaves provide great summer cover for birds but it's this plant's red berries that have birds coming from far and wide to snack on, whether they are local natives or migratory birds passing through. Showy yellow fall foliage color will really stand out in the garden.
BENEFITS
- Versatile and easy to grow
- Oval and upright
- Tiny, yellow-green flowers attracts bees and butterflies
- Deep green leaves
- Red berries attract birds
- Showy yellow foliage color in fall
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Map Credit: The Biota of North America
Map Key: Green (native), Teal (native, adventive), Blue (present), Yellow (present & rare), Red (extinct)
INTERESTING FACTS
It is a shrub that thrives in the understory of our moist eastern woodlands. More importantly, it is the larval food source for the Spicebush Swallowtail, (Papilio troilus Linnaeus).
GROWING TIPS
Grows well in average to moist soils. A great option for the shaded landscape. Although it will bloom in a shaded landscape, a bit of sun will produce a nicer form and more fruits.