Zanthoxylum armatum - Thorny Pepper, Sichuan Pepper

Zanthoxylum armatum (Thorny Pepper, Sichuan Pepper) is an easy-to-grow, drought tolerant, ornamental fruit shrub with stout spines. It produces small, yellow flowers and red fruits that have black seeds. If dried, the seed pods can be used as a condiment which is stronger and more pungent than black pepper! Its Autumn coloration is remarkable: somewhere between pink and red. Its spines will never die, instead, they grow and age together with the plant and in a few years, they became 10 times larger than in their first year. It can be planted into the ground, or into a large pot - keeping it on the patio; also suitable for bonsai. An unusual, hardy ornamental and spice. Although some sources say it is dioecious, one plant usually fruits well, but it would fruit better if you have several planted close to each other. It is suitable for smaller gardens, by a wall or in a border, but also good for the patio if grown in a container. It also makes a good bonsai. With its spines, it looks exotic in any garden, especially if planted alone but it is also great in borders too with other drought tolerant shrubs.