Drimys

( DRIM - iss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen trees does best in full sun, though it needs some shade in warmer climates. Members of this genus typically have aromatic bark and leaves, and some species are used to extract essential oils. Species are native to the neotropics, with a range that spans from southern Mexico through the southern tip of South America. Flowers are typically white, and bloom in late spring and early summertime. Use Drimys trees in the landscape as shade trees or formal hedge plants. Take care when planting these trees and shrubs in the landscape, as some species have toxic parts.

Drimys species and varietals

This small genus is a member of the plant family Winteraceae, and includes seven or eight species. These shrubs and trees grow best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 5-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Drimys andina (Canelo Enano, Canelo Andino, Andean Cinnamon, Dwarf Winter's Bark)
Native to central and southern Chile and Argentina, these low-growing shrubs reach 1.5-3.5 feet tall when mature, and produce white blossoms in summertime that are fragrant and bloom in terminal clusters. These plants typically grow in sub-alpine and sub-Antarctic forested areas and are slow growers.

Drimys angustifolia (Narrowleaf Winter's Bark, Casca-de-Anta)
These small shrubs are endemic to the mountainous regions of southern Brazil, and typically reach between 6 and 13 feet tall in garden cultivation (though they can reach up to 20 feet tall when mature in their native landscape). Leaves are green and flowers are white, blooming in January and February in the plant's native range.

Drimys brasiliensis (Casca d'Anta, Casca-de-Anta)
These shrubs generally reach between 6.5 and 26 feet tall when mature, producing evergreen foliage and white flowers. The species is seen as a more shrubby plant in northern areas and takes a more tree-like form in southern parts of its range. Timber is aromatic, and wood is easy to work with and moderately heavy.

Drimys confertifolia (Canelo de Juan Fernandez, Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark)
This species can take the form of a large evergreen shrub or a tree, and is native to the Juan Fernandez Islands off of the coast of South America. These plants can reach up to 50 feet tall, and produce white flowers from November through January in the species' native range.

Drimys granadensis (Cashiquec, Chachaca, Palo de Chile, Vaya-Yina, Chili Stick, Chilillo, Chachaca, Palo Picante, Al-ca-Puc, Cashiquec, Ajicillo, Yaga-Bziga, Vaya-Yiña)
These broadleaf evergreen trees and shrubs are native to tropical forests from Peru through southern Mexico. They can reach 40 feet tall and produce large white flowers with green and yellow centers. This species likes humidity, and naturally grows in riparian zones and along ravines.

Drimys roraimensis (Canelo)
These plants are native to in southern Venezuela and western Guyana. This species produces white star-shaped fragrant flowers and has evergreen foliage. They prefer to grow in montane cloud forests on mountain slopes, along streams, and in swampy regions.

Drimys winteri (Winter's Bark, Foye, Canelo, Winter's Cinnamon, Pepper Bark)
This species needs regular water to perform well, and is native to Chile and Argentina. These trees reach 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide, with a drooping habit and leathery, fragrant, bright green leaves. White fragrant flowers appear in winter and spring, and bark is mahogany red and also fragrant. Wood is used to make instruments and furniture. This tree is usually multi-stemmed but can be trained into a single trunk. Provide shelter from frost. Variety Drimys winteri andina (Drimys andina) is a dwarf form, growing slowly to reach 3 feet tall and wide.

Caring for Drimys

Take care when planting these trees and shrubs in the landscape, as some species have toxic parts. Plant Drymis trees and shrubs in a location in the landscape that receives full sun to partial shade. For best performance and flowering, make sure that they will get at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun each day. They thrive in rich, well-draining soils, and prefer loamy soils amended with plenty of organic material. If planting as a privacy hedge, make sure they are planted at least 5 feet apart for best coverage and plant health. After installation, apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree, taking care to keep it a few inches away from the trunk. This will help to suppress weed growth and maintain soil moisture. Newly planted shrubs and trees should receive regular waterings to help them establish a strong root system. For mature trees, keep soil evenly moist most of the time, allowing soil to dry out completely from time to time to avoid root rot issues. Provide extra irrigation during dry spells and hot weather.

Winter's Bark, when grown as a tree, needs some pruning from time to time to keep its neat appearance and symmetrical outline. Shrubs can typically be left to their own devices for the most part, and take on a handsome shape. If growing as a hedge, ensure that adequate airflow is maintained to avoid fungal diseases from taking hold. Provide shelter from frost, especially for newly installed plants. Fertilize plants yearly with a dressing of organic compost. Drimys shrubs have a moderate life span, surviving for about 45 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced if cared for correctly.

Propagation

Drimys can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Drymis by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more semi-ripe 6-inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until at least the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Drymis by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds in late summertime. Seeds of Drymis plants are contained inside of the fruits produced by these trees.
Caesalpinia seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. You can discard any seeds that float.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home

Drimys fruits are ripe when they turn black. Each fruit can contain up to 15 seeds.

Drimys seeds are shiny and black.

Problems and Pests

These trees and shrubs are generally pest-resistant, given the amount of essential oils present in bark and leaves. However, they can suffer from time to time with the following issues: