Family Winteraceae
Originating from Mexico, Chile, Argentina

An evergreen shrub or small tree with highly aromatic red/brown bark and large, soft, leathery leaves. Drimys winteri is one of the most beautiful evergreens for the garden offering all year round interest. It’s vigorous and plants with a clear leader quickly form a tree with a spire like habit. Plants with a number of stems from the base mature into bushy shrub-like trees. The leaves are lance-shaped, glossy, dark green above, and conspicuously silver beneath. It is in late winter, early spring that Drimys comes into flower. Large umbels of fragrant, ivory, yellow-anthered blooms grace the tips of the branches.
The tree derives its common name from the tea made from the bark, given to Captain Winter by Native Americans, during an expedition with Sir Francis Drake. He was suffering from an upset stomach and apparently was cured. His crew were given the peppery fragranced leaves, rich in vitamin C to combat scurvy.
Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun/part shade. Will not tolerate very dry soils.

Height and spread after 3 – 4 years 1.8m x 1.5m
Semi mature height and spread after 8 – 10 years if not clipped or pruned 6m x 4m