Chimonanthus praecox

Chimonanthus praecox flowers in the heart of winter, when pendulous bells of light yellow wax and deep red stamens bloom on its bare branches. The flowers are highly fragrant, with an extraordinary hyacinth aroma. In addition to these ornamental qualities, it is very easy to grow in any well-prepared soil. Place it near a pathway or not far from the house, preferably in a backlit position to be illuminated by the sun.

Chimonanthus praecox belongs to the Calycanthaceae family. It is native to mountain areas of China and Korea, where it grows at altitudes between 500 m and 1100 m (1640 ft to 3609 ft). While it prefers oceanic climates that are mild and humid, it has few requirements and also performs very well in more challenging climates. The bush, which grows quite slowly, forms a copse of stiff and angular stems, reaching a height of 1.5 m to 2 m (4.9 ft to 6.6 ft) with a spread of 1 m to 2 m (3.3 ft to 6.6 ft). Its flowering occurs between November and March, depending on the mildness of the climate, and sometimes even under the snow. Its pendulous flowers, 2 cm to 3 cm (1 in to 1.2 in) wide, are pale-yellow with a deep red centre and base, exuding a sweet fragrance reminiscent of hyacinth with a touch of honey. They are followed by the formation of brown urn-shaped fruits containing mobile seeds. The deciduous foliage is composed of large ovate to lanceolate, shiny, medium green leaves, measuring 12 cm to 15 cm (4.7 in to 5.9 in) in length. They turn yellow before falling in autumn.

Place it near a pathway, at the corner of a flowerbed, close to an entrance, or train it against a wall to fully enjoy its fragrance in winter. As it is not demanding, you can plant it in both acidic and more alkaline soils, even quite dry in summer. For example, plant it with Sarcococcas, Autumn Camellias, or Cornus mas. Its slow growth allows it to be grown in a large container near the house to enjoy its unique charm in winter. The flowering branches make lovely winter bouquets, accompanied by branches of witch hazel, forsythia, or Japanese cherry trees whose branches can be forced in a vase.