This upright shrub has many slender branches with dark bark and forms a compact rounded habit. It has leathery yellow green to red elliptical leaves and the cream coloured saucer-shaped flowers appear in clusters along the stems from spring to summer.  

Hardiness zones 8 to 10 

Pseudowintera colorata is naturally found in the North and South Island of New Zealand and extending to Stewart Island growing in coastal scrubland to higher montane forests at an altitude of 1200m (3600ft). 

It commonly forms thickets in cleared forested areas and grows in most well drained moderately fertile moist soils. It prefers an open sunny position where the reddish colour is strongest but will tolerate shaded positions and is frost and drought tolerant.

The Pepper Tree is grown for its colourful foliage and bushy habit. It is planted in small gardens along borders or used in group plantings in parks for screening. It is suitable for coastal or mountainous regions establishing in 4 to 6 years attaining height of 1.5m (5ft) in 10-years. It is commonly cultivated in New Zealand but may be difficult to obtain in other countries. ID 2766

Pseudowintera (soo-DOE-win-TE-ra) colorata (ko-lo-RAH-ta)

Winteraceae (WIN-ter-AY-see-ee)