Red Elderberry vs Spicebush - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Spicebush

Sambucus racemosa

Lindera benzoin

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Elderberry
Spicebush

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

The Spicebush is an unique ornamental shrub that blooms with vibrant yellow flowers and bright green foliage. The foliage goes from green to yellow in the autumn, adding fall interest to your garden.The plant is dioecious, meaning that you will need male and female plants in order to harvest it’s red berries. Berries are only produced on female plants. The berries themselves aren’t that sweet, and are mostly enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

The Spicebush, also commonly known as Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Wild Allspice, and Benjamin Bush, is named after its distinctive spicy-sweet fragrance that comes from the flowers.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Foliage: fragrant
Flowers: white
Flowers: greenish yellow
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: red elder
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice