Species spice bush
Black fruit, green petiole, stems, leaves, brown branch. yellow midrib and veins.

spice bush

Lindera aggregata var. aggregata

Spice Bush (Lindera aggregata var. aggregata) is an evergreen shrub with vibrant deep green leaves, reaching up to 5 meters in height and width. The plant blooms with yellow flowers in the spring. It produces small, fleshy, aromatic red berries in late summer, that can be used as a spice or fragrance in cooking. Spice Bush prefers partial to full sun and well-drained soils in its native Russia, Siberia, North Asia, and North America. It is a low maintenance plant which also helps attract birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects. It is also a great choice for hedges, screens and can also be used for erosion control on slopes.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

green,yellow Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Spice bush (Lindera aggregata var. aggregata) should be watered thoroughly but infrequently. The frequency of watering will depend on the size of the plant and the amount of natural rainfall you receive. During its growing season (late spring to early autumn), this plant should be watered every 7-10 days if it does not receive at least 1 inch of rainfall. In hot climates, it may warrant watering twice a week. In the winter months, water the plant only when the soil is dry to the touch (about every 2-3 weeks). Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. If watering the plant in winter, use lukewarm water, as cold water may shock the roots. Be sure to give the soil a deep soak so it filters down plenty of moisture to get the roots. In the summer, you may need to water this plant, especially during periods of drought. Water it early in the morning, as hot afternoon sun can cause water to evaporate before it has a chance to reach the roots. Water slowly and thoroughly, applying enough to allow water to reach the roots.

sunlight

Spice bush (Lindera aggregata var. aggregata) requires full sun to partial shade when in bloom for best flower production. During the spring months, it should receive several hours of sunlight per day (typically at least 6 hours in total), while during the summertime, it may require some morning sunlight but should be shaded from more intense afternoon sunlight. Some shade should also be given during the autumn months, as well as during hotter and drier periods of the year, to ensure that the spice bush stays healthy and is able to properly flower in the spring.

pruning

It is best to prune Spice Bush (Lindera aggregata var. aggregata) in early or late summer before autumn. Prune Spice Bushes by removing dead or broken branches, and trimming back any excess growth. Do not prune too much, as this can damage the plant. Aim to remove only about 10% of the plant’s top growth. Removing too much growth can stun the plant and make it vulnerable to disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Lindera aggregata var. aggregata, or spice bush, typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Spice bush typically starts flowering in late March or early April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Lindera aggregata var. aggregata, or spice bush, typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map