Photo of Lindera benzoin foliage, fruit by Jomegat

Photo by Jomegat

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Lindera benzoin

Also Known As

  • Spice Bush

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 6'-10'
  • W: 6'-10'

planting zones

  • 5a-9b

More Options

Lindera benzoin plant details

Lindera benzoin is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge followed by orange fruit. Attracts birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly shade and regular water. Does well in acidic and average soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Lindera benzoin

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: lauraceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 6 FT - 10 FT - wide, 6 FT - 10 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: fall color, fragrant, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Lindera benzoin

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: acidic and average

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This wonderful dense, 6-12' shrub has a wide, rounded habit and produces showy yellow-green flowers clusters on bare branches in spring before the rich spicily-fragrant (when crushed or broken) leaves, red berries on female plants (ours are unsexed) have unique peppery taste and scent; deep golden-yellow fall color contrasts beautifully with the red fruits; this fine shrub native to the Eastern United States is the larval food of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. S-PSh/M
Its autumn color, early spring flowers, small habit, ease of care, and fragrant foliage make this shrub highly ornamental. It is well-adapted in wet areas, great for naturalizing, and rarely taller than head-high.
A small shrub that rarely tops 6', found in moist woods and marshes with dark green, oval leaves which turn an outstanding yellow in Fall and emit a fragrant odor when crushed. Multi-stemmed with flowers that are small and pale yellow in March and April. The blooms are followed by shiny red berries called drupes which are consumed by a wide variety birds and a host plant for Spicebush and Swallowtail butterflies (look for rolled up leaves with caterpillars safely inside!) Native from Maine thru Florida. Plants of Merit - Missouri Botanical Garden. Plants are UNSEXED -- 50% chance you'll get a male or female.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Small spring flowers develop into orange pellet-sized fruit but the true joy comes in fall with golden yellow color. Deciduous shrub 10' x 10' Regular summer water.

Gardening facts about Lindera benzoin plant

How to Grow Lindera benzoin

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • average

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • birds
    • butterflies
    • deer resistant
  • Fruit

    • orange
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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