Also known as canelo, this evergreen large shrub or small tree is native from Tierra del Fuego to Mexico, and is a member of the Winteraceae, a primitive plant family of tropical trees and shrubs that grow mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. It grows about 25′ in the garden but can reach 66′ in its natural habitat. The branches have fragrant, mahogany red bark and grow horizontally but then droop. The leathery, lanceolate leaves are up to 8″ long, bright green above and whitish below, and have peppery fragrance when crushed. From winter to spring loose terminal umbels of 5-20 white flowers appear. Each flower has red sepals, 5-7 petals, and a jasmine fragrance. The compound fruit is composed of bluish berries that turn glossy black and contain about 15 seeds. Winter’s bark is a good choice for winter, fragrance, and medicinal gardens. The genus name, Drimys, is from the Greek word δρῑμῠ́ς (drīmús) meaning acrid and refers to the taste of the bark. The specific epithet, winteri, honors Captain John Winter (1555–1638), the doctor who was part of Sir France’s Drakes expedition around the world and in 1578 used the bark to cure scurvy. Photo Credit Wikipedia
Type: Flowering, evergreen shrub or small tree
Outstanding Feature: Fragrant bark, leaves, and flowers
Form: Conical
Growth Rate: Moderate
Bloom: Loose umbels of white flowers in winter and early spring
Size: 6-66′ H
Light: Full sun to dappled shade
Soil: Average, medium moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Hardiness: Zones 7-9
Care: Prune in late summer or fall to increase bloom
Pests and Diseases: None of significance but root rot can be a problem
Propagation: Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Karen Meyers