Large rounded multi-stemmed native shrub suited to naturalizing in moist or wet areas, singly or in groups. Soft-yellow flowers early in spring followed by small clusters of glossy red berries (drupes) by mid to late summer. Blue-green foliage turns golden yellow in fall. Edible berries and medicinal twigs and bark.

Scratch the berries, foliage or stems and you’ll know how it got its name: all three have a delicious lemony spicy scent and can be used as a native alternative to allspice. Leaves, twigs and fruit used in teas. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies, particularly the strange and dynamic Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) larva with its stunning false eye spots.

Prefers moist well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soils. Often found in full or partial shade, but at its showiest in full sun. These are unsexed seedlings: male and female plants required for fruit so plant several for best results. Only the females bear red fruit. Native to eastern U.S. Z5. Maine Grown. (1-3' bare-root plants)