Large rounded multi-stemmed native shrub suited to naturalizing in moist or wet areas, singly or in groups. Soft-yellow flowers early in spring followed by small clusters of glossy red berries (drupes) by mid to late summer. Blue-green foliage turns golden yellow in fall. Edible berries and medicinal twigs and bark.

Scratch the berries, foliage or stems and you’ll know how it got its name: all three have a delicious lemony spicy scent and can be used as a native alternative to allspice. Leaves, twigs and fruit used in teas. Attracts bees, birds and butterflies.

Prefers moist well-drained neutral or slightly acidic soils. Often found in full or partial shade, but at its showiest in full sun. These are unsexed seedlings: male and female plants required for fruit so plant several for best results. Only the females bear red fruit. Native to eastern U.S. Z5. (1-3' bare-root plants)