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Shrubs

Pseudowintera colorata

pepper tree

An evergreen shrub to 1m tall, with elliptic leaves to 6cm long, yellowish-green blotched with dull red and margined dark purple-red above, glaucous beneath; greenish-yellow cup-shaped flowers 1cm across open in spring, followed by small red, later black, berries

Synonyms

Drimys colorata

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Winteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Pseudowintera are evergreen shrubs with leathery, elliptic or oblong leaves, glaucous beneath, and small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters in the leaf axils, followed by fleshy black fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: New Zealand

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, preferably neutral to acid, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Indoors or under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light or bright filtered light; water freely in the growing season and sparingly at all other times

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 13-18°C (55-64°F) in autumn or spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings in midsummer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Coastal
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8; may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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