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Landscape Design

Can I plant a spicebush and sweetbay magnolia in same spot (same

15 years ago

Hi,

I have a 15' gap in my landscape in a moist, organically rich, partial shade/shade location. I initially intended to plant a Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)in the spot; I've grown spicebush shrubs to around 15' wide and 15' tall so the location (space-wise and conditions-wise is ideal for it).

However, I have an extra 10' Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana var. virginiana; not var. australis) that I need a spot for and for the same reasons, the 15' wide gap would be perfect for this as well. I've seen them in my region grow (when in partial shade) to an open-growth, spreading formation of around 25' tall and 15' wide, with wide trunks that bare no foliage until quite a few feet toward the canopy.

Can I plant both the Spicebush and a Sweetbay Magnolia together, only 5' apart from each other occupying the same space? I would prune the spicebush low-enough until the sweetbay magnolia grows tall enough that they spicebush can occupy the lower 12' to 15' of the magnolia's area as an understory shrub, and so the majority of the magnolia's foliage would start at around 12' above ground all the way up as far as it grows tall.

A variation on this plan would be to plant two spicebush shrubs 7 or 8' apart, being planted on both sides of the sweetbay magnolia (both around 5' close to the magnolia), thereby giving each of the two spicebushes only half of their optimal area, which may? keep them from growing as tall as they normally would (as you can tell, I'm not a fan of pruning, resisting normal growth habits). This way, I can have a male and female spicebush (grown from cuttings from known gender-sources). I'm worried that this may make for even more density of foliage and poor circulation for the lower portion of the magnolia and not look as good.

By the way, I might just leave the spot for a single spicebush IF in nature, in the northern states (New Jersey, etc.) it is that sweetbay magnolia's, on occasion, only get to around 12' at maturity. My experience is that I've seen them small like that, but perhaps due to poor growing conditions or them being young. I've seen them around here in swamps and wetland forest as small trees, despite what you might read on the internet (i.e. to 15' or to 20' tall). Perhaps as small shrubs when in the open (multi-trunks).

Thanks,

Steve

Btw, I've seen this done with Serviceberry trees (Amelanchier spp.).

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Comments (3)

Embothrium
15 years ago
Sounds like a plan. Plants come up close together in the wild all the time. Wide spacing in gardens is primarily to produce a particular visual effect and impart a certain feeling. If it won't look like a clutter to you or you will be managing it to prevent this (via pruning, in this case) then there shouldn't be a cause for concern.
njbiology
Original Author
15 years ago
I agree. I just don't want to shorten the magnolia's lifespan. I suppose that it will be forced to grow taller and rise above the 12' tall spicebush.
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carolinagardendawg
15 years ago
I'd pick one and go with it...then find someplace else for the other one. With them being placed so close to each other and having similar growth habits (in terms of size), you won't really be able to fully enjoy either one...they'll compete visually. What you've got are 2 specimen-type plants that should be treated as such...each standing on its own to be highlighted/showcased for their nice attributes. I understand you're willing to prune the spicebush to keep it low, but why? You're just creating work for yourself and disfiguring the natural form of the plant. Personally, I'd go with the sweetbay and use some smaller shrubs (or even evergreen groundcovers) under it (liriope, ivy, a "dwarf" abelia, indian hawthorn, carissa holly, dwarf/prostrate gardenia, etc, etc). Sweetbays have (1) a nice sculptural form; (2) architectural branching pattern when limbed up a few feet; (3) handsome bark; (4) nice blooms that can be easily lost in foliage due to size and how they're held; (4) great silvery undersides of leaves that are simply beautiful when fluttering in a breeze...why not show off those great attributes? And even though they can grow relatively large in natural situations, they (and most plants) typically don't grow as large in landscape situations...even down south where they are very prolific and perform very well. I've seen many in Ga and the Carolinas in both situations...very rarely do the planned/planted specimens attain the size of "natural" ones (on occasion they do, but a blind squirrel can find a nut every now and then too). Just my opinion...I think you'll be MUCH happier with the outcome if you go with just one.

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