Description
Splendid medium to large shrub of shady forested wetlands. At the northern end of its range here in southern Maine, it’s starting to pop up more and more (am I getting better at noticing it or is the range extending northward?), bright little yellow flowers cover the branches in early spring, scarlet red berries in September are relished by birds, male and female plants, THESE PLANTS ARE UN-SEXED. Delicate greenish blue leaves have that distinctive spicy sweet smell when rubbed or crushed. Host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Grows well in loamy garden soils with shade.
Spicebush can take a few years to establish. Many folks have told me how the top may die off over the first winter, but by next year new growth will be pushing, so be sure to be patient, and mark the planting spot well. I see something similar happening to plants in the wild, where top dieback is not uncommon.
$25, 2 gallon pot, 2in to 15in height
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