Western Spicebush — Bay Area Native Plants

Care

Sun

part shade, full shade

Water

moderate

Soil

moist, well-drained; tolerates some clay

Size

4–12ft tall , 4–10ft wide

Bloom

May-Aug · dark red, maroon

Foliage

Deciduous

Container

Friendly

Fragrant

Yes

Flowers

Prized

Native Range

Northern and central California mountains and foothills

Unusual fragrant wine-red flowers with strap-like petals

Fragrant flowers smell like red wine; all parts aromatic when crushed

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your Western Spicebush in part shade, which is ideal for this shrub in the Bay Area - though it tolerates full sun if you give it plenty of moisture, and even full shade if you're patient with slower growth. It's adaptable to most soils, including clay, as long as drainage isn't terrible; this plant can handle moist conditions better than many natives. Space it 3 to 12 feet wide depending on whether you want a rounded shrub or to train it as a multi-trunked small tree. Plant in fall or early spring when the plant is dormant.

After Planting

Water weekly through your first summer to establish it, then back off to once weekly or less once established, depending on heat and your soil moisture. This is a deciduous shrub, so it will lose its leaves in winter - that's normal and not a sign something's wrong. Prune after flowering if you want to shape it, or leave it alone for a natural rounded form; if you're training it as a small tree, remove lower branches while it's young. The #1 mistake is overwatering once established - this plant is fairly drought-tolerant, so resist the urge to baby it through dry spells.

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