Northern Red Currant vs Spicebush - TreeTime.ca

Northern Red Currant vs Spicebush

Ribes triste

Lindera benzoin

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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Northern Red Currant
Spicebush

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

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.

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: any
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
Berries: red
Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Flowers: greenish yellow
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




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