Spice bush - friend or foe? - Ask Extension
I have a spice bush growing on my uncultivated side hill. Is this a bush I should keep? Thank you.-
Knowledgebase
Spice bush - friend or foe? #807864
Asked August 24, 2022, 3:49 PM EDT
I have a spice bush growing on my uncultivated side hill. Is this a bush I should keep? Thank you.-
Prince George's County Maryland
Expert Response
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) are great plants native to Maryland so we give you an enthusiastic "YES" to keeping it.
Not only do they have a nice yellow early spring bloom but fall color too. Female plants can produce nice red berries but would need male plants nearby so consider adding more of these shrubs to the area.
They are also the host plant for some attractive butterflies/moths, including the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.
Here is our page on Spicebush:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spicebush
Christine
Not only do they have a nice yellow early spring bloom but fall color too. Female plants can produce nice red berries but would need male plants nearby so consider adding more of these shrubs to the area.
They are also the host plant for some attractive butterflies/moths, including the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly.
Here is our page on Spicebush:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spicebush
Christine
