Spicebush and Forsythia
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) and Forsythia, two shrubs that burst into yellow flowers in early spring. They seem to exemplify two different styles in the garden.
The beauty of Spicebush flowers is subtle, and you have to get up close to appreciate it. It’s enhanced by proper light and a dark background, otherwise it is difficult to photograph.
Without those elements, and from a short distance, Spicebush is unremarkable. It is an introverted shrub, but a very praiseworthy one. It has great wildlife value beyond the early flowers. The leaves feed the caterpillars of the Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly (though I have never seen a caterpillar on mine, which makes me sad). And the ripe red berries are a high quality food for migrating birds.
What’s more, Spicebush leaves have a pleasant citrus aroma.
By contrast, Forsythia is an extrovert. It is bright, brash, and unconstrained.
However, some consider Forsythia to be something of a one trick pony. Where’s the second act, they ask, after the flowers are done? This question is discussed in one of my more popular posts, “Forsythia: For or Against?”
A mass of Forsythia makes a statement that cannot be missed even at a considerable distance. More like a joyful shout. Some say that its dense, thickety habit provides good cover for song birds. Forsythia also makes a decent hedge plant, which I wouldn’t say of Spicebush.
I wouldn’t devote more space to Forsythia, but I’m glad we have the one shrub. I would be sad if some new disease emerged and wiped out all the Forsythia in the world.
Even so, I give a higher priority to Spicebush in our garden. Ideally, there should be space for both Spicebush and Forsythia. If I had to choose only one, though, I would go with the Spicebush.
How about you?
gardeninacity 
I have forsythia, which I like to cut in February to force indoors and have some hope of spring to come.
The spicebush seems to be a pollinator favorite and it’s a shrub/tree I’d like to have sometime. You have given me encouragement!
I keep meaning to bring in Forsythia and always forget. Yesterday I brought in some Lilac buds.
I have always wanted a spicebush. I haven’t had the opportunity to buy one yet. I will though. I think their bloom is so sweet.
Agreed, though like I said, you have to get up close to really appreciate it.
Also… I have heard Spicebush called Poor Mans Forsythia.
Huh! Never heard that one.
I like the spicebush. I gave up on forsythia years ago, always losing blooms to frost. The past few years they have been stunning around here since our winters have been mild.
Luckily we haven’t experienced loss of the Forsythia buds to frost that I can remember.
I’ve not grown either one so I don’t have a preference. At least not yet.
Not sure if they grow in your neck of the woods. Though I believe there is Spicebush at the Ladybird Johnson Center.
I have neither in my garden, but I must say that I’m partial to the pale yellow of the spicebush. I can’t recall every seeing one before, but that’s likely because I’m horrible at identifying ornamentals.
It is native to parts of Ontario.
I love seeing forsythia in other gardens, especially when it’s paired with screaming pink ornamental plum trees. I have neither spicebush nor forsythia in my garden but would have both had I more space. That wasn’t really your question was it?
Oh, all the plants I would have if I only had more space.
Spicebush, og course. (Excellent photograph)
Thanks, Pat!
We used to have Forsythia but when the bullfinches stripped the flower buds year after year, I got rid of it. I like the look of your spicebush but haven’t met one over here.
Never heard of birds stripping the flower buds. That would make it a pretty pointless plant to have around.
Spicebush has very lovely looking flowers 🙂
I agree!
Hello Jason, we have a young forsythia and look forward to its bright, gaudy yellow display each spring. I don’t like singling out plants because they don’t perform 24/7 nor have year round interest with flowers, berries, leaves and so on. We have many trees, shrubs and plants that are briefly once-a-year wonders and I love each one. Performing plants are more relevant in gardens where space is a premium.
It’s true that no plant is perfect, Sunil, but couldn’t they try a little harder?
I’d go with the spice bush. I’m not made about forsythia, but it’s great in the right place. I used to have two of them screaming up at me on one of our slopes that I can see from the house. I moved them down below and now I enjoy wandering down to visit/admire them and (when they are bigger again) am looking forward to forcing stems in the house. Thanks for introducing me to the Lindera, delicately pretty.
You’re welcome. The Forsythia may be best viewed from a distance.
Spicebush–yes! 🙂
Agreed!
Yes, we should make room for both introverts and extroverts.Both have their beauty.
Very true.
Spicebush, hands down!
I imagine it would do quite well in your garden.
I have one Forsythia too and wouldn’t be without it’s splash of colour this time of year. I love your Spicebush, so delicate.xxx
The Forsythia does contribute to the cheerfulness of spring.
I’ve always liked Forsythia even though it is overused.
Spicebush I keep hoping to find in the woods but it likes limestone soil and we have very little of that. I wonder if the mortar from the bricks helps yours any.
Wildflower.org says it’s native range does include NH, if that’s any comfort. It seems to grow in areas that tend to have acidic soil, like the southeast.
Forsythia can make quite a statement. As an introvert myself I appreciate the finer qualities of spicebush.
Same here.
I don’t have a spice-bush, but a forsythia. After bloom it is trimmed hedge style and serves us well, blocking out unwanted glances. So I am ok with it (but not really in love).
That’s pretty much how I feel.
I like your Spice bush best too but the image of the Forsythia mass planted is striking, I don’t think I’ve seen it used like that before. Just proves what works on a large scale doesn’t always scale down.
That is true, which is sad for those of us with small gardens.
But allows us to be more discerning.
Oh, but of course.
I agree with you choice. Forsythia here is ubiquitous (I needed a chance to use that word).
An excellent word to use.
Now that I have plenty of potential garden space I’ll be growing a lot more shrubs like Lindera, Corylopsis and the like. As far as Forsythia goes, I prefer the variegated varieties as their season of interest extends beyond the flowers and they tend to remain smaller in size. A particular favorite is ‘Fiesta’.
I’ve never seen a variegated Forsythia, sounds interesting. Have fun with your new space!
Beautiful! There’s something about those bright yellow blooms at the beginning of spring that say, “Hello! Time to celebrate!”
Exactly!
Spicebush is such a lovely thing. I was delighted when I noticed it in southern Illinois and Missouri when trail riding in ravines and low places, often a open colonies. The leaves were bright yellow with fruit very noticeable in October. I SO WANTED to jump down and take photos (it’s HARD from a moving horse!) but instead took pleasure informing all my riding buddies of all it’s attributes. I am truly jealous you get to enjoy it out your windows!
It’s a shrub that more people should plant. My shrubs don’t bear lots of berries, and those don’t last long before eaten by birds.
Forsythia is not a favored shrub but oh, that shout of yellow comes along at exactly the right time out in the mixed hedgerow where it can easily be ignored when not in bloom.
Really, it’s impossible to ignore those yellow flowers, especially in a mass.
Both forsythia and spicebush evoke pleasant memories. Spicebush grew in the woods in back of the house where I grew up. The leaves and twigs had that wonderful aroma when crushed, and the berries were a bright orange-red. I have a few forsythia here, but no spicebush. I think it has naturalized here in Oregon, and is probably available somewhere.
I would expect it would do ok in the PNW. The berries are usually not around for very long once they are ripe.