Lindera benzoin

RHS Plant Profile

spice bush

Other common names

Benjamin bush, fever bush, spicebush, wild American allspice

Synonyms

Benzoin odoriferum
Benzoin aestivale

Shrubs

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A deciduous, rounded shrub to a height of 3m, with upright branches and aromatic oval-shaped dark green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Tiny star-shaped yellow flowers appear in spring, followed by red berries on female plants

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lauraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Lindera can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with aromatic leaves and small star-shaped dioecious flowers in axillary umbels in spring followed, on pollinated female plants, by glossy berries
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, but well-drained acidic soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by greenwood cuttings in early summer or sow seed in a coldframe/sheltered place in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free