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Benjamin Bush Wikimedia Commons
Lauraceae

Benjamin Bush

Lindera benzoin

Early awakening.

Family
Lauraceae
Genus
Lindera
Native to
Eastern North America
Bloom season
Spring
Type
deciduous shrub
Height
6-12 ft
Sunlight
part shade to full shade
Soil
Moist, acidic, well-drained soil
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Also called spicebush, all parts of the plant are aromatic when crushed, with a spicy fragrance.
  • Spicebush is the primary host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillar.
  • Early American colonists used the dried berries as a substitute for allspice.
  • It is one of the earliest shrubs to bloom in spring, providing crucial nectar for early pollinators.
  • The bright red berries are an important food source for migrating birds in autumn.

Color meanings

0

anticipation

1

renewal

Uses

  • native gardens
  • wildlife habitat
  • culinary spice substitute