Lindera megaphylla

A rare, broad-leaved evergreen from the mountains of western China—deeply storied, quietly magnificent.

Lindera megaphylla is not a shrub for the casual garden. It is a plant with presence, with pedigree, and with the kind of slow-burning beauty that reveals itself over seasons, not days. This broad-leaved evergreen hails from the mist-laden forests of western China, where it grows in dappled light among rhododendrons and ancient oaks. The plant was first introduced to Western gardens through Sir Harold Hillier—a renowned British plantsman and collector—who shared this rare treasure in the 1970s from his namesake nursery.

Growing slowly into a large, upright shrub or small tree, Lindera megaphylla is one of the most ornamental and imposing members of the laurel family (Lauraceae). Its leaves are long, leathery, and deep green, often reaching over a foot in length—held in whorled clusters that create a lush, layered canopy. Even in winter, its evergreen foliage maintains a polished richness, catching low light and standing firm against wind and cold.

Small yellow-green flowers emerge in early spring, subtle but botanically charming, followed by dark drupes on female plants—if a male is nearby to pollinate. Like its North American cousins (Lindera benzoin, for instance), it is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies, bringing life and movement to quiet corners of the garden.

Best planted in moist, acidic, well-drained soils in light shade to filtered sun, Lindera megaphylla is ideal for woodland gardens, shade borders, or as a specimen where structure and foliage matter more than fleeting bloom.

Native Range: Western China
Foliage: Evergreen; large, leathery, glossy dark green leaves
Bloom Time: Early spring
Flowers: Yellow-green; small, in clusters
Fruit: Dark drupes (on female plants with male pollinator present)
Notable Traits: Rare in cultivation, evergreen, architectural foliage, wildlife value
Garden Uses: Woodland gardens, large shade borders, evergreen structure, specimen plant