spicebush

How To Grow and Care for Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

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The spicebush is a fragrant native shrub or small tree that provides multi-season interest. These deciduous plants put on great fall color, have fragrant, tiny yellow flowers, attract beautiful pollinators, and have many uses in the kitchen. 

Read on to learn more about how to grow and care for these useful native plants.

What Is A Spicebush?

These plants of the Lauraceae family are also known as the northern spicebush, benjaminbush, or wild allspice. The name of this plant comes from the aromatic nature of the leaves and the fact that they produce fruits. The fruits are dried and powdered to make a spice.

Spicebush is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a broadly rounded shape, which grows from one or many stems. In the garden, these plants usually reach a maximum size of about 12 feet (3.6 m) tall and wide, although they can grow taller in their natural environment. These plants are native to eastern north America, where they grow as an understory plant in moist woodlands. (1)

The spicebush has smooth gray bark and leaves that are glossy green and alternately arranged, reaching about 6 inches (15 cm) in length and a little over 2 inches (5 cm) across with smooth margins. 

These spicebush leaves, which are elliptical and pointed on either end, color up quite early in the fall, when many other plants are still green. The lovely golden yellow shade these leaves take in the fall makes for a showy display. 

spicebush flower

Spicebush Flowers

The aromatic and fragrant flowers of the spicebush are very small and occur in clusters in the early spring. These flowers, which are a pale greenish shade of yellow, appear before the plants leaf out (2).

After flowering, small red berries are produced that ripen in the late summer to fall. These spicebush berries are produced on female plants only and are also aromatic. Because spicebush plants are dioecious, there must be at least one male plant nearby to fertilize the female and produce fruits.

How To Grow Spicebush Plants

Soil

This aromatic shrub naturally grows in wetlands, thriving in a well-draining, moist soil. It thrives in various soil types, including loamy, sandy, or clay soils, as long as they are not excessively compacted or prone to waterlogging.

Water

Established Spicebush plants are relatively drought-tolerant but benefit from regular watering, especially during periods of prolonged dryness. Provide supplemental irrigation when rainfall is insufficient to keep the soil consistently moist.

However, avoid overwatering, as excessively wet conditions can lead to root rot and other moisture-related issues. Aim to water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to partially dry out between watering sessions.

Sunlight

Because it is native to the Eastern United States, Spicebush grows best in conditions of full sun to partial shade. While this native plant can tolerate some direct sunlight, particularly during the morning or late afternoon, prolonged exposure to intense sun may scorch their delicate foliage.

Plant Spicebush in a location with dappled sunlight or shade to protect them from excessive heat and maintain optimal growth and vigor.

Fertilizer

Spicebush typically does not require heavy fertilization, especially if grown in nutrient-rich soil. However, applying a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring can provide an extra boost of nutrients to support healthy growth and flowering in growing season.

Choose a fertilizer formulated for woody shrubs and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and frequency. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can promote lush foliage at the expense of flowering.

Propagate

Propagating Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) can be achieved through several methods, including seeds, cuttings, and layering.

Spicebush seeds can be collected from ripe fruit and sown in well-draining soil in the fall for natural stratification over the winter, with germination occurring in the following spring. Stem cuttings taken from healthy, mature plants can be rooted in a moist, well-draining rooting medium with the application of rooting hormone to encourage root development.

Layering involves bending a low-growing branch to the ground, wounding a portion of the stem, and burying it in soil until roots develop. With patience and proper care, Spice bush plant can be propagated successfully using these techniques to expand your garden or share with others.

Care and Maintenance

Spicebush plants are very low maintenance and are easy to grow and care for, provided you plant them in USDA zones 4 to 9, where they are best suited to grow. These plants are fast-growing, but probably best left to naturalize and don’t have any special pruning needs. 

Being a plant that prefers well drained soil, the spicebush may benefit from some fertilizer if you grow them in nutrient-deficient soil.

These native shrubs are generally disease resistant, but unfortunately can be affected by the laurel wilt disease which was introduced from Asia in the early 2000s. (3) Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for this disease at this stage, and affected plants should be destroyed. 

Growing spicebush is a great way to attract spicebush swallowtail butterflies to your garden. Although these plants do cause minor damage to the foliage of the plants, they are not considered a major pest. 

Uses

Horticultural Uses

Spicebush is a great plant for marshy areas where other choices are limited. These plants are very useful in the environment and are ideal for shrub borders, rain gardens, wildlife gardens, butterfly gardens.  

Human Uses

The ground-up fruits of this plant have been used as an allspice alternative for meat. There are also a variety of traditional medicinal uses reported. Teas made from spicebush bark, leaves and bright red berries are used to treat a range of ailments and conditions including pain, fever, and fatigue among others. (2)

Wildlife Uses

These deer-resistant plants are very popular with other wildlife, especially those that enjoy deer browsing. These flowers draw a variety of pollinators and turn into shiny cherry red berries, attracting birds.

While the fragrant foliage is used as a host plant by the larva of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly, Eastern tiger swallow tail butterfly, and the promethea silkmoth, all of which are beautiful creatures.


FAQs

Do I need a male and female spicebush?

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are on separate plants. To produce berries, a male plant should be planted with a female plant. However, some cultivars may be self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit without a separate male plant nearby.

What is the best fertilizer for spicebush?

A balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for shrubs or trees is suitable for spicebush. Apply fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins, following the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates.

Why is it called spicebush?

Spicebush gets its name from the spicy fragrance of its leaves, bark, and berries. When crushed or bruised, the leaves and stems emit a pleasant aroma reminiscent of spices like allspice or cloves. This aromatic quality contributes to its appeal in landscaping and herbal uses.

What does a spicebush smell like?

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) emits a spicy fragrance reminiscent of spices like allspice or cloves when its leaves, stems, or berries are crushed or bruised. This aromatic quality contributes to its appeal in landscaping and herbal uses.

What is the benefit of spicebush berry?

The berries of the spicebush are edible and have a citrusy, peppery flavor. They are sometimes used as a spice or flavoring agent in cooking, particularly in Native American and Appalachian cuisines. Additionally, spicebush berries are high in antioxidants and have been used in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits, including their ability to aid digestion and soothe upset stomachs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, caring for Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) requires attention to its specific needs to ensure its health and vitality in the garden.

With proper Spicebush care and attention, this plant is a good choice for woodland gardens.

For more shrubs to grow, check these types of bushes.

References

Reference List:

(1) Vankus, V., Brinkman, K. A. & Phipps, H. M. The Woody Plant Seed Manual

(2) Allison, S. Species Pages: Lindera Benzoin. Retrieved at https://www.dept.psu.edu/nkbiology/naturetrail/speciespages/spicebush.htm

(3) Fraedrich, S. W. Spicebush Is Also Affected By Laurel Wilt Disease. Retrieved at https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/research/2017-research-highlights/spicebush

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