Tasmannia lanceolata 'Red Spice'

RHS Plant Profile
evergreen Tasmanian mountain pepper 'Red Spice'

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Synonyms

Drimys lanceolata 'Red Spice'

Shrubs
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An upright, evergreen shrub to 4m tall with leathery, dark green, aromatic leaves up to 8cm long held on deep red shoots. Small, fragrant, creamy-white spring flowers borne in clusters are followed on female plants by black, rounded fruits

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Winteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Tasmannia is a genus of around 50 species of woody, evergreen shrubs or trees originating from Malesia and eastern Australia. It was previously included in Drimys
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained, lime-free soils. Successful in both sunny and shady positions but prefers semi-shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8 (evergreens)

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora root rot