Chinese Evergreen Spicebush is an aromatic evergreen shrub from the mountain slopes of central and southeastern China that brings year-round sensory interest to shade gardens. Lindera fragrans grows 12 to 15 feet tall and spreads 4 to 6 feet wide, thriving in zones 8 and 9 where it produces showy flowers in March and April followed by equally striking fruit. The real draw is its strongly spicy-scented foliage, the narrow green leaves release an intoxicating aroma when brushed or crushed, making this shrub a living fragrance source in the landscape.
Partial Shade
Moderate
8-9
180in H x 72in W
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Moderate
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The foliage is the star here: dull green, strongly spicy-aromatic leaves that remain attractive year-round in its evergreen form. Beyond the scent, March to April brings showy flowers followed by showy fruit, giving this shrub multiple seasons of ornamental value. It thrives in partial shade with moderate water and low maintenance, asking little from the gardener while delivering consistent sensory rewards.
Chinese Evergreen Spicebush is used to naturalize in woodland and shade gardens, where its aromatic foliage and showy spring flowers and fruit add sensory dimension to the landscape. The strongly scented leaves can be brushed or crushed to release fragrance, making it rewarding as a tactile, olfactory element in the garden.
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“Lindera fragrans originates in the thickets on mountain slopes of central to southeastern China, where it has grown naturally for centuries. This species reached Western gardens through botanical collection and cultivation, valued for both its aromatic foliage and ornamental characteristics. Its evergreen nature and fragrant leaves made it an appealing addition to gardens in temperate climates where cold hardiness allows.”