Drimys winteri |
Native Region: Shady South American forests
Zone Range: 8-10
Preferred Climate: Semi sun; well draining humus rich moist soil
Harvest Date: Monday 10 October, 2011
Seed count: 12-15
Description:
An unusal evergreen shrub with leathery smooth leaves with a silvery reverse. Dense clusters of sweetly fragrant 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 peopls of Chile consider this plant as a symbol of peace and often planted it near their homes. Bark is used medicinally and smells very much like magnolia/liriodendron roots. Grows to 2-3 metres in height with a narrower spread. Survived our minus 12C (-12C) winter with some dieback.
Notes:
Seed coat is very fragile so handle with care. We overwinter our plants in the greenhouse until ready to plant out to prevent the root ball from freezing a potential lethal condition.
Cultivation:
How we do it. 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.
|
