From October to March, We ship these plants in their dormant state. This means they will have no leaves. The stem will be strewn with buds for this coming spring's growth. If you live in a southern state, these will push new growth upon planting them as dormancy is dependent on hours of daylight and temperature. We are located in PA State and temperatures can differ drastically around the country.
This is a cold hardy tree that is underused in the landscape. The claim to fame for this plant is the pungent berries that are used in cooking, but it is an attractive plant in general, and is quite cold hardy. This tree can be kept outdoors in zones 6 - 9. It has spikes and thorns, so use care when handling it. It can reach a maximum height of 13-17 feet. It may take 4 - 5 years to produce peppercorns. Trim the branches or cut them short after harvest in the fall to enhance the shape and height; note that the new growth is where peppers will develop.