Evergreen Lindera of Spice Bush. I was really struck by this plant when I first saw it at the J. C. Raulston Arboretum at NCSU in Raleigh, NC. This Asian species has evergreen leaves 1-2 inches long by 3/4 to 1" wide, and they are shaped similar to a heart-shaped, Peperomia leaf. The new growth begins quite early in the spring with bronze, velvety soft foliage. In early spring it is covered with small yellow flowers in the axils of almost every leaf. It does well in full sun to almost complete shade, and takes on an upright habit of growth. Expect a shrub of 8-12 feet, but in its native habitat it will range up to over 30 feet.
Zones 7-9
