Spicebush Update 4/20/08

Looking back to a December 2007 post, "Spicing up your fall landscape", I extolled the virtues of the Linderas. Spicebushes as they are known collectively, both native and asian species grow in the US.The two Asian species that I discussed were the Lindera obtusiloba and the Lindera salicifolia.

This post is simply an update to show the two plants at this time of year, so that you may consider them for inclusion in your landscape.

Lindera obtusiloba has begun to leaf out after its coarse yellow flower has past, Its odd mitten shaped leaves, still in their infancy are a refreshing color in the landscape. Each with a slight webbing or hairiness to the newly emerging leaves.


The Willow-Leaved Spicebush, Lindera salicifolia is still clad in its foliage from last year. Still performing a screening task for me, double duty for this deciduous shrub. This is the week that the subtle flowers are blooming and the new leaf buds are swelling. Very soon now the old leaves will be disloged at their bases by the new foliage, a very quick leaf drop will follow and in the course of just a few days a new spring outfit will adorn this plant.