Drimys winteri seeds (Winter’s Bark)

Description

An unusual evergreen shrub with smooth thick leaves with a silvery reverse. Dense clusters of star-burst like blossoms bring in the nectar seekers. Fruits ripen to a dark blue in clusters at the end of pale stalks…reminds of of fireworks! There is the occasional rebloom in the late summer/early fall. Nice cinnamon coloured bark that resembles Arbutus from a distance. Fast growing multistemmed shrub when established. Indigenous peoples of Chile consider this plant as a symbol of peace and often planted it near their homes. Bark is used medicinally and smells very spicy (sweet cinnamon/anise) much like magnolia/liriodendron roots. Survived our minus 12C winter with some dieback.

• Seed Count: 15-20
• Collection Date: Sept 2019
• Hardiness Zone: 7-10
• Height and Width:2-3m x 2-3m
• Germination test type: float

How to germinate Drimys winteri seeds:

Fully stratified. Ready to germinate when given gentle warmth.  Otherwise: soak seed 24 hours. Cold stratify 60 days either wrapped in a moistened coffee filter or in equal mix of coarse sand and moist peat in a baggie in the fridge. Place baggie within another baggie (for even temperature/heat retention)…and provide gentle warmth (we use our old computer monitor). Starts to germinate in 40 days. Germination is sporatic so check baggie often, prick out seedlings, and transplant into well draining medium. Keep seedlings moist and out of full sun/direct light.