- Botanical name: Zanthoxylum simulans
- Common name: Sichuan pepper
- Family: Rutaceae
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree, Deciduous
White
Yellow
Green
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
- Autumn colour
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Thorns
The Sichuan pepper, Zanthoxylum simulans, is a much under-appreciated deciduous shrub or small tree that offers so many reasons to grow it.
Hailing from China and Taiwan, it bears attractive compound leaves like those of ash and clusters of elder-like, cream flowers in late spring and early summer. In autumn bright red fruits ripen and gradually split open to reveal glossy black seeds within. As autumn progresses, the leaves turn a vivid shade of yellow, contrasting beautifully with the red fruits. To top it all off, the leaves, bark and fruits are all aromatic, with a spicy, citrusy scent. The red seed cases are edible and can be used as a pepper substitute, as are the leaves and bark. You can also find highly attractive multi-stem specimens of this shrub.
For best results, grow Zanthoxylum simulans in full sun or dappled shade in fertile, well-drained soil. It generally doesn’t require pruning as it will naturally form an attractive shape as it grows. However, pruning to restrict its size can be carried out in late winter or early spring.
How to grow Zanthoxylum simulans
-
Plant size
3m height
2m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does not fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do Prune in January |
F
Do Prune in February |
M
Do Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do not Prune in September |
O
Do not Prune in October |
N
Do not Prune in November |
D
Do not Prune in December |
Zanthoxylum simulans and wildlife
Zanthoxylum simulans is known for attracting bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Attractive to Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Attractive to Other pollinators
Is Zanthoxylum simulans poisonous?
Zanthoxylum simulans has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Zanthoxylum simulans
