Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Spicebush - TreeTime.ca

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry vs Spicebush

Prunus x cistena

Lindera benzoin

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Spicebush

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic

Foliage: purple leaves
Foliage: fragrant
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red to purple
Flowers: pinkish
Flowers: greenish yellow
Fruit: dark red fruit
Berries: red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON
Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice