Fresh Spicebush Seeds (Lindera benzoin) – 15 Seeds, Native Shrub, Ships September–November

15 FRESH Spicebush Seeds (Lindera Benzoin)

Seeds will ship from late August to November once they are ready. They will be in a paper envelope, but should NOT be stored in it, as the seeds' moisture level will be high and mold can set in; they should be used right away.  Seeds will be Red in Aug/Sept, turning dark red as they dry further by Oct/November.  FRESH seeds are easier to germinate.

After the seeds are no longer red (by November), we will start the stratification process for you by placing the seeds in a substrate and keeping them cold.  

Germination Tips:

• Pre-order seeds to get the freshest seeds possible 
• Remove the fleshy outer coating by soaking the seeds in warm water for 48 hours;  rub off the remaining pulp after 24 hours.
• Rinse and Dry Seeds
• Outside method:
  • Plant seeds outside in the soil or in pots and let nature do its thing.  Seedlings appear in early summer the following year (Most of ours germinate here in Maryland by August, many earlier)
• Inside method:
  • Warm Stratify seeds for 3-4 months
  • Cold Stratify seeds 3-4 months
  • Sow seeds; germination can take several weeks to months.

Native to much of the East Coast, Spicebush is a small shrub rarely growing over six feet tall. It is found in average, moist woods and marshes. It has dark green, oval-shaped leaves with smooth edges. The leaves turn yellow in the Fall. They also have a pleasant lemony fragrance when they are crushed. Dense clusters of tiny, pale yellow flowers bloom before the leaves from globose buds and twigs. Flowers occur in umbel-like clusters and are followed by glossy red fruit (on female trees). Both the fruit and foliage are aromatic. Leaves turn a colorful golden-yellow in fall. Berries can be used as an allspice alternative; leaves can be used in tea. Spicebush is the larval food source of the Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly. Care: Wet to moderately dry soil. Spicebush is a good understory plant. Plant a male and a female plant for berries. Cannot determine male/female till berries form. Suggest three trees for better odds to get a mix of male and female trees (if you want berries).

Growing Conditions
Light: Part Sun-Light Shade
Height: 6 feet
Spread: 3 feet
Zones: 4-9
Critters: Deer, rabbit, and groundhog

Seeds require three months of cold-moist stratification.