Lindera Benzoin
One of the best plants for the shade garden or woodland garden is an all-American called spicebush (Lindera benzoin) This shrub is delightfully aromatic, its leaves, twigs, flowers, and berries are all fragrant.
It blooms about the same time the goldfinches begin to arrive. The flowering branches are architectural in a vase. The flowers become oval leaves that are a favorite of swallowtail caterpillars. Look for curled leaves held together by a web of silk.