Drimys lanceolata
Mountain pepper, Pepper tree
Also known as Drimys aromatica, Tasmannia lanceolata
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This handsome shrub has aromatic foliage. The plant has long thin tapering leaves which are coloured mid green. These are arranged into attractive rosettes. There are red new shoots which gives the plant's foliage a rich effect. The small yellow and pink flowers come in April and May and have a jasmine-like fragrance. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. This is a rather tender evergreen shrub suited to mild locations only. The aromatic leaves can be chopped and eaten and the dried black seeds can be used as a pepper like condiment - hence the popular name. Give it humus rich acidic moist soil, preferably in a partly shaded sheltered site. The shrub should have a height and spread of 3m (10ft).
- Flower colour
- Pink, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-jasmine
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- North, East, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.