Northern Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Also listed as Benzoin aestivale, Benzoin benzoin
Also known as Spicebush, Common Spicebush, Benjamin Bush
Climate Match for your location
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A native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant yellow flower clusters in early spring and bright red berries that attract birds in fall. All parts of the plant have a pleasant spicy aroma when crushed.
Why grow it
Northern spicebush offers early-season visual interest with fragrant flowers appearing before many other understory shrubs leaf out, making it valuable for late-winter landscape design. Unlike some ornamental alternatives, it provides wildlife value through its berries and supports native insects. It tolerates part shade and moist soils better than many deciduous shrubs, suiting it to woodland edges and rain gardens where options are limited.
Watch out for
Female plants produce berries reliably only when a male plant is nearby for pollination, so plan accordingly if fruit production is desired. The shrub can take several years to reach flowering size, and establishes slowly in drier soils even though it adapts well once mature. Leaf spots and other minor fungal issues may appear in humid conditions but rarely require intervention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant yellow flower clusters in early spring and bright red berries that attract birds in fall. All parts of the plant have a pleasant spicy aroma when crushed.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Northern Spicebush grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Northern spicebush offers early-season visual interest with fragrant flowers appearing before many other understory shrubs leaf out, making it valuable for late-winter landscape design. Unlike some ornamental alternatives, it provides wildlife value through its berries and supports native insects. It tolerates part shade and moist soils better than many deciduous shrubs, suiting it to woodland edges and rain gardens where options are limited.
Watch out for
Female plants produce berries reliably only when a male plant is nearby for pollination, so plan accordingly if fruit production is desired. The shrub can take several years to reach flowering size, and establishes slowly in drier soils even though it adapts well once mature. Leaf spots and other minor fungal issues may appear in humid conditions but rarely require intervention.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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