Lindera tonkinensis

RHS Plant Profile
Tonkin spice bush
Shrubs Trees

Slim, elegant, evergreen shrub or small tree about 5m tall bearing long slender, papery bright green leaves to 14cm long with orange bristly hairs along the prominent veins underneath. Yellow flowers are produced singly or in small umbels from the leaf axils mid autumn to early spring followed by black fruit, late spring to late summer, on female plants if pollinated by a male plant

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lauraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Plant Range
China, Laos, Vietnam

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained acid soil in part shade with shelter

Propagation

Propagate by greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free