Break the dreariness of winter with the fragrant flowers that don the wintersweet. Native to the woodlands in China, this slow-growing shrub with an upright but broad shape can begin to look a bit leggy and unkempt with old age.
Depending on climate, the bare branches reveal many bowl-shaped flowers that face downward, appearing anytime from midwinter to early spring. The fragrant flowers' waxy petals are light lemony yellow with a center that is sienna to purplish brown in color. Dry fruits follow but aren't showy. The elongated leaves with sharply tapering points are attranged in opposite pairs on the twigs. In autumn the leaves attain only yellow-green hues at best.
Grow wintersweet in any fertile, well-draining soil. Full sun exposures suffice, but if in a hot summer region or soils are typically dry, shade in the afternoon is highly recommeneded. Use this shrub as a component of a mixed shrub border or in the clearings of a woodland. It can also be trained as an espalier. Severely prune back plants immediately after flowering in early spring to encourage a lush attractive rejuvenation. Flowers occur on year-old wood, so don't further prune the regrowth during summer or fall. (info source: Learn2Grow.com)
Genus - Chimonanthus
Species - Praecox
Common name - Fragrant Wintersweet
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 7 - 9
Height - 10'-15' / 3 - 5 m
Spread - 6'-10' / 1.80 - 3 m
Plant type - Large Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous ornamental
Exposure - Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Slow
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, Loam, Sand, Well Drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Mixed Border
Bloom season - Early Spring, Winter, Late Winter
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Light Yellow, Dark Red, Sienna
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours 2. Stratify in moist vermiculite or sterile sand in airtight zip lock bags for 60 days in the fridge at +2-+4 C. 3. Sow in 5 mm deep, keep moist and warm. Germination take place in 30-60 days. Do not overwater. |