Caring for a Spicebush

Spicebush, a deciduous shrub, is hardy to USDA zones 4 through 9. This rounded shrub grows up to 10 feet high and wide, producing yellow flowers in the spring and red berries later in the growing season. Spicebush attracts swallowtail caterpillars, which like to feed on the foliage. Migrating birds enjoy the berries as a delicious source of energy. Caring for a spicebush is not difficult -- the shrub grows easily in a sunny or partly sunny landscape.

Shredded mulch (leaves or bark)
Flowering shrub fertilizer
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Mulch around the base of the spicebush to prevent weeds and conserve soil moisture. Add about 3 to 4 inches of mulch, spreading it out to the drip line of the shrub. The mulch will also insulate roots from winter temperatures.
- 2
  Provide water for the spicebush if less than 1 inch of rain falls during a one-week period. Water the soil around the shrub to saturate it completely.
- 3
  Fertilize the spicebush once in the spring after the growing season begins. Mix the fertilizer with water according to package recommendations. Pour the mixed fertilizer over the soil around the spicebush to saturate the soil.
- 4
  Prune a spicebush in the spring after it finishes blooming. Cut back the individual stems to shape the shrub into an attractive rounded shape. Do not remove more than one-third of the length of each stem and cut the stems off at a leaf node for best results.

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