Category: pollinator gardening

Native Notes – Wildlife Hero Fragrant Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

On By durhammastergardenersIn bird friendly habitat, deer-resistant plants, ecological sustanability, fall blooming plants, insects, pollinator gardening, Uncategorized

By Laurel Babcock, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

Three bright yellow spicebush blooms on brown stem.

Yellow flowers of spicebush, Lindera benzoin. (Image credit: Phillip Bouchard CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

This is the next installment in our series, Native Notes, where we explore plants that strengthen local ecosystems and support biodiversity while adding beauty to our Durham County, NC landscapes.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

One shrub that I love to check on in my garden is spicebush (Lindera benzoin). It is a native shrub that brings beauty, fragrance, and wildlife value to my landscape with minimal maintenance. Spicebush belongs to the laurel family (Lauraceae) – the same family as sassafras, bay laurel and avocado. This shows in the plant’s wonderfully aromatic leaves, twigs and fruit. The Piedmont variety found in Durham County is Lindera benzoin var. pubescens.

Appearance

Spicebush is a medium-sized, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that typically reaches 6 to 15 feet tall and wide. The simple, alternate leaves are oblong with smooth margins.  The broken twigs, fruit, and occasionally the leaves give off a lemony-spicy fragrance when crushed or broken, which explains the origin of the name. The Piedmont variety has slightly hairy undersides on the leaves and young twigs, sometimes visible only with a hand lens.

Though the small yellow blooms are fairly insignificant, they are among the earliest flowers in the NC spring and so offer an early food source for awakening pollinators. My spicebush starts blooming toward the end of March and lasts for about a week.  The pale flower buds are distinctively ball-shaped and easy to spot on bare branches before the leaves emerge.

Spicebush shrubs are dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. Male plants produce only pollen-bearing flowers. Female plants produce flowers that, if pollinated by a nearby male, develop into bright red berries in late summer to fall. Male flowers are typically fuller and have prominent yellow stamens, while female flowers are smaller and have a central pistil and fewer stamens. Most nurseries do not label their plants by sex, so if the berries are important to you, it’s best to plant several and observe them over time.

Comparison of male and female yellow spicebush flowers showing 4mm male blooms with anthers and stamens and 2mm female blooms with ovary, style and pistil.

Distinguishing features of male and female spicebush. (Image credit: Laurel Babcock)

Come fall, the foliage turns a clear, bright yellow, a lovely addition to the autumn garden.  The high-fat red berries, which ripen in late August through September, are eaten eagerly by migratory songbirds as fuel for their fall journeys south.

Habitat and Distribution

NC distribution map of spicebush Lindera benzoin across 82 counties in North Carolina.

Distribution map from Vascular Plants of North Carolina website (Image credit: Laurel Babcock)

This species naturally occurs in the slightly acidic soils of forests, but spicebush also occurs in brown water swamps in higher elevations in North Carolina. It has been found throughout the mountains, Piedmont, and all but a few south-central counties in the coastal plain. It is deer-resistant and suitable for low areas, rain gardens, along wooded creeks, or swales. It is adaptable to a wide pH range and tolerates occasional flooding as well as occasional dry periods, making it a good choice for the variable Durham County weather. It spreads readily by root suckers but can be propagated by growing from seed by collecting ripe red berries in late summer or fall, by softwood cuttings, or by layering.

Bright red spicebush berries on a stem with green and yellowing leaves in the background.

Spicebush fruits and yellowing leaves approaching fall (Image credit: Matthew Beziat CC BY-NC 2.0)

Even if you don’t know the sex of your plant, you can still enjoy one of the most fascinating things about it: it is a critical host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly (Papilio troilus)! These caterpillars curl up in the leaves and mimic snakes (see false eyespots) for protection! They also change to a deep yellow color after they stop eating leaves.

Immature brown swallowtail caterpillar on green spicebush leaf host in background.
Mature green swallowtail caterpillar with yellow and black false eyespot markings against green spicebush leaf host in background.
Black swallowtail butterfly with white and blue wing markings on pink blooms with green leafy background.

From left to right: “Spicebush Baby” (Image credit: DrPhotoMoto CC BY-ND 2.0); “Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar” (Image credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark 1.0); Spicebush caterpillar after ending leaf consumption (Image credit: Laurel Babcock); “Spicebush Swallowtail female” (Image credit: Anita363 CC BY-NC 2.0).

Spicebush is a true native hero in the Piedmont. It brings four-season interest, supports native butterflies and birds, and thrives in the varied conditions found across central North Carolina. Whether you’re gardening on a city lot or stewarding a woodland edge, this is a plant that will reward you and your local ecosystem for years to come.

Resources and Additional Information

Lindera benzoin (Northern Spicebush, Spicebush, Spice Bush) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

NC Common Wetland Plants Guide: Lindera benzoin

Penn State Extension discussion of spicebush in rain garden settings: Rain Garden Plants: Spicebush

Article shortlink: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-7X0

Edited by Susan Sharp, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County

Native Notes: Discover the Stunning Native Vine Climbing Aster

On By durhammastergardenersIn fall blooming plants, native plants, NC Native Plants, nesting insects, perennials, pollinator gardening, Uncategorized, vines

By Laurel Babcock, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County



This is the first installment in our new ongoing series, Native Notes, where we’ll explore native plants that support sustainability and biodiversity, strengthen local ecosystems, thrive naturally in our region, and—did we mention—are absolutely beautiful.

A Climbing Aster vine in full bloom, with multiple pale purple star-like blossoms with a central yellow to brown disc and delicate grey-green leaves.

Climbing aster (Ampelaster caroliniana) in bloom. This plant offers both lovely fall blooms and essential wildlife shelter and support. (Image credit: Laurel Babcock)

In the fall a few years back, I gave my friend and fellow Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer Lissa Lutz a tour of my garden. As she entered the backyard she pointed to my fence and exclaimed, “What is that??!! It’s stunning! I need one!!” She was talking about the native climbing aster I had growing up a tall deer fence at the edge of my property. Among all the diverse plants in my yard, come fall, the climbing aster stands out as a gem in the garden.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

Climbing aster or Ampelaster caroliniana belongs to the Asteraceae family, a group that includes a wide variety of flowering plants, many of which are commonly known as daisies, asters, or sunflowers. The genus name Ampelaster is derived from the Greek words “ampelos” (meaning vine) and “aster” (meaning star), which likely refers to the plants star-shaped flowers and its climbing, vine-like growth habit. The species name caroliniana indicates the plant’s geographic origins, as it is primarily found in the southeastern coastal plain, especially in areas like the Carolinas, Georgia, and surrounding regions. It was previously known as Aster carolinianus or Symphyotrichum carolinianum.

Appearance

Climbing aster is a herbaceous perennial that grows primarily as a dense deciduous vine reaching anywhere from 5 to 10 or more feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. The plant’s leaves are grey-green, simple, alternate and ovate, giving it a delicate and intricate look.

Map from FloraQuest app illustrating the distribution of Climbing Aster through the United States.

This map shows in its shaded areas the distribution of climbing aster throughout the Southeastern United States. (Image credit: North Carolina Botanic Garden’s Flora of the Southeastern United States map)

Habitat and Distribution

One of the most striking features of Ampelaster caroliniana is its flowers. The plant produces thousands of small, star-like blossoms that range in color from pale purple to pink. Each flower consists of a central disc surrounded by a ring of delicate, petal-like ray florets.

Ampelaster caroliniana thrives in a variety of habitats, from woodlands and forest edges to swamps and river banks. It is commonly found in the southeastern U.S., including North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and parts of Florida. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soils, often in moist, but well-drained areas in part to full sun. Its ability to climb and spread quickly makes it well-suited to growing in areas with ample support structures, such as trees, shrubs, posts or fences.

Ecological Importance

As a native species, climbing aster plays an important role in local ecosystems. Its climbing habit provides vertical structure in the environment, offering shelter and nesting opportunities for birds and small mammals. I often find anoles and small birds like the Carolina Wren hanging out in the branches. The plant is a larval host to the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars. In addition, the late-blooming flowers also provide a crucial food source for pollinators during the late summer and fall, a time when many other flowering plants have already completed their bloom cycles. The leftover seeds also provide food for songbirds and small mammals.

Cultivation and Garden Use

Gardeners appreciate climbing aster not only for its beauty but also for its relatively easy care. I use it in my garden along the property line to create a sense of privacy. Even though the vine is deciduous, the branches intertwine so thickly that even in the winter it creates a nice screen. Climbing aster can be propagated by seed, division, layering, or cuttings. I personally have not had luck germinating the plant by seed though it is known to do so in the wild.

In summary, whether serving as a pollinator attractant in the wild or as part of a more intentional garden setting, climbing aster proves to be a resilient and valuable plant. As more gardeners and ecologists become aware of its merits, I hope that this native species will receive greater attention and protection in the years to come.

Resources and Additional Information

Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

More on climbing asters from the NC Botanical Garden: Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster) – FSUS

Gardening tips from a pollinator ecology expert: Gardens loved by pollinators

Edited by Susan Sharpe and Astrid Cook-Dail, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteers of Durham County

Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-6Xv