Spicebush vs Emerald Cedar - TreeTime.ca

Spicebush vs Emerald Cedar

Lindera benzoin

Thuja occidentalis Smaragd

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Spicebush
Emerald Cedar

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.

Emerald Cedar makes a great addition to landscapes, and is often used to form tight hedges or privacy screens. The thick scale-like foliage adds texture and colour to yards and is commonly used to line driveways. Unlike other cedars it retains its green colour throughout the fall and winter.

It is a semi dwarf species, which generally needs little pruning, but if desired it responds well to trimming. Its attractive, columnar shape and dense foliage makes it a desired landscape feature.

The Emerald Cedar won the award of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Spicebush Quick Facts

Emerald Cedar Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: fragrant
Flowers: greenish yellow
Berries: red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice
Other Names: smaragd arborvitae, thuja occidentalis emeraude