Tasmanian Pepper Bush
Anything with red stems and evergreen leaves grabs my attention so this handsome shrub from the alpine areas of Tasmania could be a nice specimen in most gardens. It gets small white flowers followed by black berries in the spring. The dramatic red stems shine against the deep green, glossy, lance shaped leaves. We are still experimenting with the ideal location for this tidy looking shrub. It is hardy to Zone 7, at 5 to 10 degrees, but seems susceptible to cold winter winds so a protected spot near a wall or enclosure seems best. It will take full sun or part shade but if in shade it needs to not stay frozen during the low sun days of winter. So an east or south exposure would be ideal. Regular water in well draining soil keeps it looking its best but is reputed to be drought tolerant once established. It is slow growing to 6′ tall by 4′ wide so it won’t overwhelm your garden and looks excellent in a container. Looks great combined with yellow foliaged sedums or grasses or as a backdrop to red flowered perennials.