Chimonanthus praecox Grandiflorus

The Chimonanthus praecox Grandiflorus, also known as "Wintersweet", is a beautiful variety of the fragrant Chimonanthus bush, which is highly appreciated for its scented winter flowers. The 'Grandiflorus' variety has larger, more colourful flowers resembling tiny buttercups that trail. These flowers are bright yellow with dark red reverses and longer leaves. The plant grows slowly, is a bit frost-sensitive, and prefers sunny locations. It requires fresh, humus-rich, and light soil to thrive. You can grow it against a south-facing wall, nestle it in the heart of a flowering hedge, or place it in a large container on the terrace.

The Chimonanthus praecox is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Calycanthaceae family and is native to medium mountain areas of China and Korea. It typically grows at altitudes between 500 and 1100 meters (3608 to 11 feet). It prefers mild and humid oceanic climates, which allows it to bloom from November to March on bare branches. The 'Grandiflorus' form, awarded by the RHS, is a hybrid of this botanical species and was introduced to Europe before 1920. The plant forms a thicket of stiff and angular stems that can grow up to 2.5 metres (8 feet and 2 inches) high and 1 to 2 metres feet and 7 inches) wide. Its flowering takes place between November and March, depending on the mildness of the climate. The trailing flowers are bright yellow with red centres and reverse and have a light fragrance similar to the florist's hyacinth. They measure 3 to 4 cm (1.6 inches) wide. After the flowers, brown urn-shaped fruits containing mobile seeds are formed.  The foliage consists of large, shiny, lance-shaped leaves 15 cm (5.9 inches) long.

The Chimonanthus plant with its large flowers should be planted alone at the back of a bed, accompanied by Daphnes, Sarcococcas or Camellias. It grows slowly and can be grown in a large container near the house to enjoy its unique charm in the off-season. The flowering branches can make beautiful winter bouquets, witch hazels, forsythias or Japanese cherry trees, whose branches can be forced in a vase.