Lindera benzoin, commonly known as Spicebush, is a valuable native, deciduous shrub celebrated for its distinct year-round appeal. Its early spring display of tiny yellow flowers and bright red berries provide food for birds and serve as the host plant for the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly. Achieving maximum shrub health and robust berry production hinges on selecting the appropriate planting distance. Proper spacing ensures each plant receives adequate light and air circulation, directly influencing its long-term vigor.
Understanding Spicebush’s Mature Growth Habit
Spicebush naturally grows as a multi-stemmed shrub with a broad, rounded shape. In most landscapes, it reaches a mature height and spread between 6 and 12 feet. Plants in partial shade develop a more open and wide-spreading habit, mimicking their native understory environment. Conversely, plants receiving more sun grow denser and produce more flowers and fruit. Spicebush also spreads slowly through root suckers, forming natural clumps or thickets, which must be considered when spacing near structures.
Determining Planting Distance Based on Purpose
The required distance between shrubs is determined entirely by the desired landscape outcome, balancing the plant’s mature size against the need for air flow and the aesthetic goal.
Specimen Planting
For a single, prominent specimen planting, the primary goal is to allow the shrub to achieve its maximum individual size and shape without crowding. A minimum spacing of 8 to 10 feet from other large plants or structures is advisable. This distance ensures full air circulation around the canopy, which prevents fungal issues and allows the rounded, graceful structure of the mature shrub to be fully appreciated.
Dense Screen or Hedge
When the goal is creating a dense visual screen or a continuous hedge, the distance must be significantly reduced to encourage the canopies to merge quickly. For a formal screen, planting Spicebush 4 to 6 feet apart is an effective strategy. This closer spacing results in faster coverage but will require more frequent pruning management to maintain the desired shape. Staggering the plants in two parallel rows can also help achieve a rapid, dense barrier.
Naturalized Grouping
If the intention is a more naturalized grouping or a thicket for wildlife benefit, a spacing of 6 to 8 feet is appropriate. This intermediate distance allows the initial shrubs to grow large enough to be distinct while still enabling the root suckers to naturally fill in the gaps over several years. This creates the non-aggressive thickets valued by wildlife. Regardless of the spacing chosen, planting both male and female shrubs is necessary for the female plants to produce the attractive red berries.
Site Preparation and Positioning for Success
Long-term success for a properly spaced Spicebush begins with careful site preparation that supports the plant’s establishment and growth. Spicebush thrives best in rich, moist, well-drained soils with a high organic matter content. While the shrub tolerates a range from partial shade to full sun, positioning it in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is optimal in warmer climates, as it helps maintain the required soil moisture.
Before planting, the hole should be excavated to be twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep as the root ball itself. This technique encourages the roots to spread horizontally into the surrounding, uncompacted soil. After positioning the plant and backfilling with the original soil, a thorough watering is necessary to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets around the roots.
The application of a layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips or shredded leaves, aids in retaining soil moisture and stabilizing the soil temperature. It is important to keep the mulch several inches away from the base of the shrub’s stems. This promotes air circulation at the crown, which supports healthy growth and prevents the development of moisture-related diseases.