Winter Sweet
Chimonanthus praecox

Family: Calycanthaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Rounded.

Chimonanthus praecox is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from November to March, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Cliffs in glens and gorges of Ichang province, 30 - 3000 metres. Mountain forests at elevations of 500 - 1,100 metres. Also found in Sichuan, Hubei and Chekiang.

E. Asia - China.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Flowers - thoroughly boiled and then washed. Eaten with oil and salt. The flower petals are used to flavour and scent tea.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The flowers and flower buds contain 0.5 - 0.6%.essential oils comprising benzylalcohol, benzyl acetate, linalool, terpineol and indole. They are sialagogue. The flowers are used in the treatment of thirst and depression whilst the essential oil is used to treat colds. The leaves and roots can be used in the treatment of contusions, cuts, haemorrhages, strains, lumbago, rheumatism, numbness and colds.

Antiphlogistic: Reduces inflammation.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Sialagogue: Stimulates the secretion of saliva.

Other

Rating:

The flowers are very fragrant, they are used in pot-pourri and to make perfumes. The wood, after soaking in water, polishes to a brilliant black finish.

Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Espalier: A tree or other plant that is trained to grow flat against a support (such as a trellis or wall).

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses: Border, Espalier, Foundation, Massing. Requires a good soil in a sunny sheltered position. Badly drained or compacted soils may cause blotching or yellowing of the leaves. Succeeds in most soils but it seems most at home on chalky ones. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -25°c. It is best grown on a sunny wall, however, in order to protect the flowers and induce heavier flowering. The flowers are very fragrant, but the plant can be very sparse flowering after cool summers. Plants have a moderate rate of growth. Plants take 5 - 12 years to flower from seed. The var. 'Grandiflorus' comes true from seed and has larger flowers than the type. Plants flower profusely when established and left unpruned, if any pruning is necessary then it is best done immediately after flowering. The flowers are produced on the leaf axils of wood 3 - 4 years old. The flowers emit a powerful sweet fragrance which can be smelt 50 yards away. The smell is like jonquil and violets. When the fragrance is inhaled close to for any length of time the smell seems to disappear. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features: Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Pre-soak stored seed in tepid water for two hours, keep warm and moist for 3 days then chill for 5 - 8 weeks and sow in a cold frame. Germination is usually good, though it is often slow and erratic, and takes place in 2 months or more at 13°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Extremely difficult to root. Layering in spring or in July/August. Takes 9 months. Fair to good percentage.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 7-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. fragrans. Lindl. Calycanthus praecox. Meratia praecox.