At the SBG, spring means spicebush! Lindera benzoin, a member of the Lauraceae family, is currently blooming in all its glory in our gardens, as well as in wooded areas and along streams across the Centre region. Its gentle yellow hue is in soothing contrast to the ‘shock and awe’ of neon-bright, non-native forsythia. And unlike forsythia, which requires rigorous pruning to restrain its sprawling growth habit, spicebush naturally forms a lovely, vase-shaped form.
Of course, value as habitat is one of its most compelling virtues: Spicebush hosts several lepidopteran species, including the beautiful promethea moth (Callosamia promethea) and the adorable spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus). It’s also a crucial nectar source for many hungry pollinators in spring. In the fall, the bright red berries produced by female plants feed birds and other wildlife. Spicebush is adaptable to a wide variety of conditions, and can be planted as a specimen or grown as a hedge. It’s an excellent way to support local ecosystems while enjoying a versatile, low-maintenance shrub. Why not “spice up” your garden with one (or more!) this year?
