Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin), packet of 5 seeds [INTL NO]
$8.95
Family: Laurel (Lauraceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 9
(Spicebush) Perennial deciduous, dioecious bush to 12 feet. Native to Appalachia and a most elegant member of the very pretty plant family known as the Lauraceae. Spice bush prefers shade to sun and moist, rich soil. In fact, and this story is a bit of an indulgence on my part, the plant was considered by the early settlers to be an indicator of rich soil, and many homesteads were located due to the proximity of these bushes. The plant bears glossy green leaves and waxy, spicy-smelling red berries. Traditional use (TWM): cold remedy. Plant prefers rich, moist to mesic soil in the part shade. Cold-stored seed. Sow with tip of seed pointing up in good, warm soil. Grow in pots for a year, then transplant the 12 to 18 inch seedling to the woodland or shade garden. Prefers rich soils, moisture. Plant 6 feet apart.
5 seeds/pkt., Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s
In stock
Janet Bailey (verified owner) –
I ordered these wonderful Spice Bush seeds last year and had great success. Seeds planted on 1/28/19 had all sprouted by 2/11/19 (fourteen days!).
By 3/26/19, I had large healthy seedlings (pic below) that I transplanted and grew on under the shade of our Laurel Oaks. Now healthy young trees are ready for our North Florida winter and for planting out in the spring.
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verastar (verified owner) –
Started these in peat pellets, of all things. Sowed 10 Seeds, and it’s been approx 3 weeks and I have 4 that are already about 2.5 inches tall with 2 true leaves and more coming along the straight strong stem. I figured that’s all I was getting, but suddenly 3 more sprouted a couple of days ago. Really enjoying watching these lovely seedlings come up.
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Admin Richo Cech –
good work, the seeds contain large amounts of fatty endosperm which will sustain them for some time without a need for nutrients from the soil. But eventually, they will need something more than peat to put their roots into.
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Jim –
Have these seeds been cold stratified? And you mention to keep them in pots for a year before planting in the woodland — would you suggest bringing pots indoors in the winter?
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Jim,
Yes, our spice bush are always kept moist and refrigerated–the seeds quickly die if allowed to dry out. This year was a particularly good year on these and we still have a few packets left–the seeds are splitting–please hurry. Regarding potting up, it is best to leave the young trees in outdoor or cold greenhouse conditions. They are from a cold zone and need to go dormant in the winter.
Richo
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jackalvic (verified owner) –
Does that apply to peat pots? I just received mine and placed in peat pods. I plan to place in pots once up. Is it ok to keep the peat pods indoors on warming blanket until placed in pots then put outdoors?
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, The spice bush seed has been given the requisite cold conditioning and is already beginning to germinate. I am not a fan of peat pots because very few plants grow well in peat. Spice bush likes a rich soil. Yes, plant to standard pots of potting soil and keep warm and in the light. Please do not put on a heat mat, plants receive their warmth from the light above and generally do not do well when roots are heated. All such woody perennials need to be up potted several times before setting to landscape. Here’s a link to a blog I think will be helpful. Richo https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/advanced-seed-planting-tips/
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jackalvic (verified owner) –
Thanks. I have a grow light and will change to that from the heat of. Thanks so much.
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Honey –
Will spice bush grow well in zone 7 TN? It does SOMETIMES get as cold as 20 here but it isn’t as cold as Ohio and WV was.
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Richo Cech –
Hello Honey, Yes, spice bush is native to TN–you are right smack dab in the middle of the natural distribution of the plant. r
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Willow –
The description says it grows to 12 ft high, but how wide does it generally get? ie how far apart should I plant it from other bushes/trees/plants?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Willow, I generally put plant spacing at the very end of the monograph, in this case “Plant prefers rich, moist to mesic soil in the part shade. Prefers rich soils, moisture. Plant 6 feet apart.” richo
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