Pseudowintera colorata
Pseudowintera colorata · Winteraceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around pseudowintera colorata and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green tinged with red and purple depending on light exposure
- Flowering
- Spring, small cream-white to reddish flowers, discreet
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height, compact bushy form
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to approximately -10 °C
- Origin
- New Zealand, temperate humid forests
- Soil type
- Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Watering
Keep the soil regularly moist during the growing season (spring-autumn), without waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter. Appreciates an environment with good ambient humidity. Water preferably with non-calcareous water.
Light exposure
Prefers partial to dappled shade; in full sun, the foliage can scorch or fade. In cold regions, a position sheltered from cold wind strengthens its hardiness. Ideal under tree cover or against a north to west-facing wall.
Soil
Requires well-structured soil, rich in organic matter and well-draining. Enrich the substrate with compost or blonde peat to improve moisture retention. Avoid compacted or chalky soils, which can cause chlorosis.
Pruning and cutting
Pruning is not essential; however, it will appreciate light formative pruning in spring to densify its form. Remove dead or diseased branches. Prune after flowering to avoid compromising next year's flowers.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced diluted fertilizer in spring and early summer. Moderate nitrogen inputs to avoid promoting too loose foliage. An annual application of well-decomposed compost or organic matter is generally sufficient.
Diseases and pests
Generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew or root rot if moisture stagnates. Rarely affected by pests in temperate climates. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Pseudowintera colorata, called the 'Pepper tree' in English, produces aromatic fruits with a spicy flavor that the Maori traditionally used. Its remarkable foliage changes color depending on exposure and light stress, shifting from green to purple according to conditions, making it a true 'botanical chameleon'.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.