Spicebush vs Diamond-Leaf Willow - TreeTime.ca

Spicebush vs Diamond-Leaf Willow

Salix planifolia

Lindera benzoin

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Diamond-Leaf Willow
Spicebush

Diamond-Leaf Willow is a native deciduous shrub known for its glossy diamond-shaped leaves, which give the shrub its name. Its catkins emerge in spring, providing an important early source of pollen for pollinators. The shrub’s dense growth also offers valuable cover and browse for wildlife, including moose and deer.

This shrub is well-suited to cool, moist habitats such as wetlands, streambanks, and forest openings. It spreads by rhizomes, helping to stabilize soils and form dense thickets. Diamond-Leaf Willow is valuable for reclamation, wetland enhancement, shelterbelt plantings, and a wide range of conservation and habitat restoration projects.

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.

Diamond-Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 4a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading, ticket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: medium


Foliage: fragrant
Bark: smooth, dark brown
Flowers: greenish yellow
Berries: red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT, NU
Native to: ON
Other Names: diamondleaf willow, flat-leaved willow, mountain willow, plane-leaf willow, plane-leaved willow, tea-leaf willow, tea-leaved willow
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice