Drimys winteri
Winter's bark
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 3.4m
- Position
- All conditions
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a good looking shrub for a wall (even north or east facing). It has quite big, glossy, oval leaves and clusters of star-shaped, white flowers with a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance, that appear early in the summer. The tree can grow to 15m (50ft) in the mild, moist west and south. The bark is grey and very aromatic. The long, lustrous, dark-green leaves, borne on reddish stems. These are handsome, so it makes an evergreen shrub of some distinction in the garden. It is only suitable for outdoors in milder areas. The names Drimys winteri and Winter's bark come from the man who discovered it, (for the west that is), Captain John Winter who was the commander of one of Sir Francis Drake's vessels in 1578.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Stem colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-jasmine
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 3.4m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- East, North, West facing
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Compost · Planting
Ericaceous compost
This plant requires acidic (ericaceous) soil. Where the soil is not acidic, or when planting in pots, use an ericaceous compost.