Spicebush: Aromatic Shrub for Wildlife and Fall Color

Lindera benzoin (Spicebush)

This dioecious native shrub offers multi-season appeal. Male plants display showier, tiny pale-yellow flowers in early spring, while females steal the show in early fall with half-inch berries that transition from green to yellow to high-gloss crimson. Simultaneously, the foliage turns a hypnotic soft yellow, making the red berries pop. Spicebush grows 5–8 feet tall and slightly wider, serving as the preferred host for spicebush swallowtail butterfly larvae.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Aromatic foliage, showy fruit, excellent autumn color, and host plant for swallowtail caterpillars.

Growing Conditions & Care

Grow in partial sun to light shade in wet to moderately dry soil. Plant both a male and a female for berry production.

Common Problems

Infrequent.

Quick Reference

• Height: 6–10 ft.
• Spread: 6–10 ft.
• Growth Habit: Clumps
• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Moisture: Medium
• Maintenance: Low
• Bloom Time: Early Spring
• Flower Color: Yellow
• Uses: Beds and Borders, Waterside
• Style: Woodland Garden
• Type: Shrubs