Overview

Introduce the captivating beauty of the spicebush live plant (Lindera benzoin) to your garden. This remarkable deciduous shrub is celebrated for its multi-season appeal and ecological value, making it an essential addition to any native plant landscape or wildlife refuge. Growing to a mature size of 3–4 feet tall and approximately 2 feet wide, this seedling arrives healthy in a 1 quart pot, typically standing 10–14 inches tall, ready to thrive in its new environment. The spicebush is a true gem, offering a symphony of sensory delights from its aromatic leaves and stems to its early spring blooms and brilliant fall foliage. Its adaptability to various light conditions, from partial shade to full sun with adequate moisture, makes it a versatile choice for many garden settings.

The native spicebush shrub is not just a pretty face; it’s a vital host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and a valuable food source for various bird species, especially wood thrushes, who feast on its bright red berries. Its creamy yellow flowers emerge in early spring before the leaves unfurl, providing a much-needed nectar source for early pollinators. As autumn arrives, the deep green leaves transform into a vibrant yellow, adding a spectacular display of color to the landscape. This plant is a testament to nature’s elegance and resilience, promising years of enjoyment and ecological contribution to your outdoor space.

Key Benefits

Integrating a spicebush live plant into your garden offers numerous advantages, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and ecological function. This robust shrub provides year-round interest and supports local wildlife, making it a truly valuable asset.

• Ecological Keystone: As a host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and a food source for birds, particularly wood thrushes, the spicebush live plant plays a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity. Its bright red berries are a vital food source in late summer and fall.
• Fragrant Foliage and Stems: Enjoy a delightful sweet, spicy fragrance when the leaves or stems are bruised. This unique aromatic quality adds another layer of sensory experience to your garden, making it a pleasure to walk through.
• Early Spring Blooms: Before the leaves emerge, delicate creamy yellow flowers adorn the branches in early spring. These subtle yet beautiful blooms provide an essential nectar source for early-season pollinators when other food sources are scarce.
• Vibrant Fall Color: The deep green leaves of the spicebush transition to a brilliant, eye-catching yellow in the fall, especially when grown in partial sun. This provides a stunning autumn display that enhances your garden’s visual appeal.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Tolerant of a range of sunlight exposures, from partial shade to full sun (with sufficient moisture), and various soil types including moist, well-drained loamy soil, the native spicebush shrub is remarkably adaptable and drought-tolerant once established.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the spicebush requires minimal care, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a beautiful yet easy-to-manage native plant. Its natural hardiness contributes to its longevity and vigor.
• Year-Round Interest: From fragrant stems in winter to early flowers, lush summer foliage, and vibrant fall berries, the spicebush offers continuous interest throughout the seasons, adding dynamic beauty to your landscape.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your lindera benzoin plant is straightforward, ensuring it thrives and brings joy to your garden for years to come. This robust native shrub is relatively low-maintenance, especially once established. For optimal growth, plant your spicebush in spring or fall. Choose a location that receives partial shade to full sun, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist, especially if planted in a sunnier spot. The spicebush prefers moist, well-drained loamy soil but is also tolerant of clay and woodland soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Adequately preparing the soil with organic matter can significantly benefit its establishment and long-term health.

During the first growing season, regular watering is crucial to help the spicebush live plant establish a strong root system. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Once established, the plant becomes quite drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. Space plants 6–10 feet apart to allow for their mature spread of approximately 2 feet wide and 3–4 feet tall. Pruning is generally not necessary but can be done as needed to maintain shape or remove any dead or damaged branches. This ensures the plant remains healthy and vigorous. The spicebush is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the US.

Protecting your young native spicebush shrub from harsh winter winds or extreme summer heat during its initial establishment period can aid in its success. Mulching around the base of the plant helps retain soil moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. While generally resistant to pests and diseases, monitoring for any signs of stress can help address issues promptly. With these simple care instructions, your spicebush will flourish, providing beauty and ecological benefits.

Size & Details

This offering includes one healthy spicebush live plant seedling, carefully cultivated and ready for planting. Each seedling measures approximately 10–14 inches in height and is provided in a 1 quart nursery pot, ensuring a robust root system for successful transplanting. The plant is a deciduous shrub, meaning it will lose its leaves in winter and sprout new foliage in spring, which is a normal and healthy part of its life cycle. It is an outdoor plant, ideal for enhancing various garden settings. The spicebush is known for its moderate growth rate, reaching its mature size of 3–4 feet tall and approximately 2 feet wide over several years, creating a beautiful and functional addition to your landscape.

The plant will arrive in a form suitable for immediate planting. Its ‘color’ refers to its seasonal attributes: creamy flowers before leaves emerge, followed by shiny red berries, and deep green leaves that turn vibrant yellow in fall. The fragrant stems add another dimension to its appeal. This fragrant native plant is shipped with care to ensure it reaches you in excellent condition, ready to thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this spicebush plant get? A: The spicebush live plant typically reaches a mature size of 3–4 feet tall and approximately 2 feet wide. This seedling arrives 10–14 inches tall in a 1 quart pot, ready to grow.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The spicebush is an outdoor plant, best suited for garden beds, borders, or naturalized areas where it can receive adequate sunlight and moisture.
• Q: How much sunlight does the spicebush need? A: This native spicebush shrub thrives in partial shade to full sun. If planted in full sun, ensure it receives consistently moist soil to prevent stress.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the spicebush is considered low-maintenance, especially once established. It requires regular watering during its first season but becomes drought-tolerant thereafter.
• Q: What condition will the spicebush arrive in? A: Your lindera benzoin plant will arrive as a healthy live seedling in a 1 quart pot. In winter, dormant plants may arrive without leaves, which is normal and does not affect health.
• Q: When is the best time to plant this fragrant native plant? A: The best times to plant your spicebush are in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, allowing the plant to establish its root system before extreme weather.
• Q: Will the spicebush attract wildlife to my garden? A: Absolutely! The spicebush is a vital host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly and its bright red berries are a significant food source for various birds, especially wood thrushes.
• Q: What kind of soil does the spicebush prefer? A: The spicebush prefers moist, well-drained loamy soil, but it is also tolerant of clay and woodland soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
• Q: What USDA Hardiness Zones is this plant suitable for? A: The spicebush is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
• Q: How often should I water my newly planted spicebush? A: Water regularly during the first growing season to keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, the spicebush care guide suggests it becomes more drought tolerant and will need less frequent watering.