Pseudowintera colorata

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pepper tree

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Synonyms

Drimys colorata

Shrubs
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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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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