Lindera benzoin

Spicebush | South Carolina Native

Light: Part Shade
Water: Moderate to High
Size: Approx. 8–15 ft. tall × 6–15 ft. wide
Bloom: Fragrant yellow-green flowers in early spring
Fruit: Bright red berries on female plants in late summer and fall
Type: Deciduous native shrub
Native Status: Native to South Carolina
Wildlife Value: Host plant for Spicebush Swallowtail butterflies, nectar source for pollinators, and fruit for birds

Fragrance, Fall Color & Wildlife Value

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a versatile native shrub that brings interest to the garden throughout the seasons. Small, fragrant yellow-green flowers appear along bare branches in early spring, followed by green foliage that turns a beautiful yellow in fall. Crush a leaf or twig and you'll discover the spicy fragrance that gives this plant its name.

Spicebush is happiest in part shade with moist, well-drained soil, making it a natural fit for woodland gardens, rain gardens, and areas near streams or ponds.

Good to Know: Spicebush is an excellent wildlife plant. It serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae, including the Spicebush Swallowtail, while its flowers support pollinators and its red fruits provide food for birds. Plants are male or female, so a female needs a nearby male for pollination and fruit production.