Drimys winteri

Winter’s Bark, also known as Canelo in its native South America, is a unique, evergreen large shrub or small tree closely related to Tasmanian Mountain Pepper. Native to the cool temperate forests of southern Chile and Argentina, this shrub is slowly becoming a popular ornamental in Europe and North America. Similar to its Australian cousin, the leaves and fruit of Winter’s Bark contain essential oils that give them a unique pepper like flavor that can be used as an herb or a spice. More famously, the bark of this plant was used by Captain James Cook and his crew to prevent and treat scurvy during their voyages in the South Pacific.

This variety of Winter’s Bark can grow to reach 25 feet tall and makes an attractive, broad-leafed evergreen. This is a great plant option for those looking for a unique, cold hardy spice plant. Winter’s Bark is considered cold hardy to USDA zone 6b or to -5 degrees Fahrenheit.