Spice Bush

Flowers of female plants give way to bright red drupes (to 1/2" long) which mature in fall and are attractive to birds. It is used for shrub borders, shade or woodland gardens, moist areas along streams or ponds, native plant gardens or naturalized plantings. The Spicebush, Lindera bezoin, is a native deciduous shrub with a broad, rounded habit which typically grows 6-12' high. Drupes are very attractive, but are largely hidden by the foliage until the leaves drop. Lindera is named for the Swedish botanist, Johann Lindler. Leaves are aromatic when crushed. Clusters of tiny, aromatic, greenish-yellow flowers bloom along the branches in early spring before the foliage emerges. They are easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Tolerates full shade, but habit becomes more open and wide-spreading. Fall color is best in sunny areas. The larva (caterpillar) of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly feeds on the leaves of this shrub. Thick, oblong, light green leaves (to 5" long) turn an attractive yellow in autumn. Female plants need a male pollinator in order to set fruit, however. ... more information