horopito

Pseudowintera colorata | mountain horopito, red horopito

A popular native shrub, celebrated for its vibrant, aromatic foliage and distinctive hot, peppery taste. New growth emerges with dominant red tones, maturing into green-yellow leaves with striking red edges. In spring, small, yellow-green flowers develop into tiny, dark fruits. This versatile evergreen typically reaches 3m tall and 2m wide. It's excellent for mixed plantings, can be formally hedged, used as a backdrop for smaller plants, or mass-planted for a stunning display. While frost tender in its first year, it thrives in moist, organically rich soil.