Drimys aromatica Red Spice

Drimys aromatica Red Spice is a beautiful descendant of an evergreen bush, now renamed Tasmannia lanceolata, even more compact and decorative than the species. This aromatic plant, which comes from the Antipodes is better known as Tasmanian Pepper or Aboriginal Pepper, and is particularly suited to mild and humid climates on the coast. 'Red Spice' is interesting for its presence in the garden all year round, its elegant habit, its density, its red branches adorned with beautiful dark green glossy foliage, fragrant when crushed, and finally for its discreet but pleasantly fragrant spring flowering.

Tasmannia lanceolata belongs to an ancient botanical family related to magnolias, the Winteraceae family. It is native to cold temperate and tropical forests in southeastern Australia. It is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with a bushy, regular, and upright habit. 'Red Spice' has been selected for its more compact habit and darker foliage. Under our climates, it will reach a maximum height of about 2m (6 ft 7 in) with a spread of 1m (3 ft 4 in). Its young reddish-pink stems bear entire, lanceolate leaves, 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 in) long and 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) wide. The upper surface of the leaves is shiny dark green, while the underside is light matte green. The foliage and the bark are rich in aromatic compounds. The flowering occurs in late spring, in May-June, and is characterized by the formation of pretty buds in pink-red clusters at the tips of the branches. The small flowers have waxy petals, ranging in colour from cream to greenish. They are gathered in umbels and emit a unique and powerful scent, pungent, spicy and slightly acrid. There are male and female Drimys plants. Only the females produce clusters of small fruits with 2 rounded lobes, initially red and turning black when ripe. Once dried, they can be used as a spice.

Drymis aromatica Red Spice is not difficult to grow in a suitable climate and in limestone-poor soil that remains moist. It remains ornamental throughout the year and has a strong personality. It can be used to create a low evergreen hedge or windbreak, alone or mixed with other evergreens such as laurel tin, elaeagnus, photinias, olearias... It can also be part of a large bed of acid-loving shrubs with rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas, kalmia, Hamamelis, and Pieris, for example.