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Lindera angustifolia

Previously known as:

  • Lindera salicifolia
Phonetic Spelling
lin-DER-ah an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Oriental Spice Bush is a deciduous, flowering, multi-stemmed shrub or climbing vine in the laurel family that is native to the mountain slopes of China. At maturity, it will reach a height of 7 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It is grown for the attractive, glossy green, fragrant leaves in summer and red, orange and purple fall display. The narrow leaves then turn tan to brown and persist into the winter. Greenish-yellow flowers appear in early spring and are followed by small black fruits in the fall. The genus is named after Johann Linder, a Swedish botanist and physician. The species name means narrow-leaved.

This shrub prefers sandy, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. However, it does adapt to most garden soils. 

Use in a woodland or meadow setting, as a hedge or in the shrub border. Plant where the great fall color can be enjoyed.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shrub#fragrant leaves#colorful leaves#winter interest#fall interest#flowering shrub#vine#fragrant bark
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#shrub#fragrant leaves#colorful leaves#winter interest#fall interest#flowering shrub#vine#fragrant bark
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lindera
    Species:
    angustifolia
    Family:
    Lauraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Leaves are processed for aromatic oil.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and Eastern China to Korea
    Distribution:
    Beginning to appear in North American gardens.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Multi-stemmed
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    Small black fruits ripen in fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    Tepals
    Flower Description:
    Greenish-yellow blossoms appear in March.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Papery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, light green, narrow and glossy leaves; 3 to 4 inch long; brilliant purple, orange, red fall color; leaves turn brown and remain through winter and into spring. Each leaf is 4 inches long with silvery undersides and provides quality color during the growing season.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Young branchlets are yellow-green and glabrous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border