DRIMYS. Southern Hemisphere. A small group of ornamental trees and shrubs, somewhat resembling (though unrelated to) the arbutus. The following have attractive, aromatic bark, lustrous leaves and clustered white flowers. Sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, reasonably well drained soil, moderate watering. Hardy to 18oF or less.
lanceolata. Tasmania. A bushy shrub, growing upright to 10-15’. The stems are rather closely set with lance shaped, dark green leaves, bronze-tinted in new growth. It makes an impressive floral display in summer. Small blackish berries would be set if plants of both sexes were present, but this is unlikely in our material. All parts of the plant are spicily fragrant.
winteri. Winter’s bark. South America. An almost forgotten small tree, much resembling an arbutus when not in bloom. It grows around 20’ tall and has (in this form) crooked, slightly drooping branches with mahogany-colored bark. The pointed-oval leaves are up to 10" long, bright green above and paler beneath, and smooth in texture. Both bark and leaves are aromatic. Clusters of fragrant white 1" blossoms decorate the plant in summer.