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Chimonanthus praecox

14 Jan

Chimonanthus praecox (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Chimonanthus praecox (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 5m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox is a vigorous deciduous, bushy medium sized shrub. Its glossy dark green leaves are lanceolate, up to 20cm long and 10cm broad. Its waxy, hermaphrodite, yellow flowers have purple stained centres, are cup shaped, pendant, up to 3cm across, with spirally arranged tepals, are strongly scented and appear on bare branches. Its brown fruit is an elliptic capsule and up to 2.5cm in length.

Chimonanthus praecox, commonly known as Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice, is native to China.In its native habitat it grows in mountain forests. Chimonanthus praecox is synonymous with Chimonanthus fragrans. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England 1766 when it was grown under glass for the Sixth Earl of Coventry in the conservatory at Croome Court, Worcestershire.

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ’flower’. Praecox is derived from the Latin prae meaning ‘before’ and coxi meaning ‘ripening’, i.e. early ripening.

Chimonanthus praecox Flower (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Chimonanthus praecox Flower (06/01/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, fragrant shrub.

Ecologically, Chimonanthus praecox is attractive to pollinating insects and beetles.

Chimonanthus praecox prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

Chimonanthus praecox requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out in early spring, after flowering.

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Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’

21 Feb

Chimonanthus praecox 'Grandiflorus' flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ flower (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ is a deciduous and bushy medium sized shrub. Its dark green leaves are shiny, lanceolate in appearance and up to 15cm in length. The pendant hermaphrodite flowers of the plant are small, fragrant, waxy and yellow with a maroon centre. The branches of the plant are arching in form. The fruit of the plant is a brown, elliptic capsule and up to 4cm in length.

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ is commonly known as Large Flowered Wintersweet and is slightly less scented than the species. The species Chimonanthus praecox is native to China where it is found at altitudes of 500-1,100m. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England in 1766.

Chimonanthus praecox 'Grandiflorus' (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ (21/01/2012, Kew, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ‘flower’. Praecox is derived from the latin term ‘prae’ before and coxi ‘ripening; i.e. early ripening.

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, scented shrub.

Ecologically, Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ is pollinated by beetles.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate alkali soils. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

Chimonanthus praecox ‘Grandiflorus’ requires little maintenance.

Davis Landscape Architecture

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor

26 Jan

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor flower (21/01/2012, Kew London)

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor flower (21/01/2012, Kew London)

Position: Full sun to dappled shade

Flowering period: Winter

Soil: Well Drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Calycanthaceae

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor is a medium sized, bushy, deciduous shrub. Its leaves are opposite and entire, up to 20cm long and 7cm broad, with a glossy texture. The yellow flowers are waxy, cup shaped, up to 3cm across, with spirally arranged tepals and are strongly scented. The branches are upward arching in form. The fruit of the plant is an elliptic dry capsule which is up to 4cm long. 

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor, commonly known as Wintersweet or Japanese Allspice, is native to China. It was introduced into European gardens from Japan and was noted in England 1766 when it was grown under glass for the Sixth Earl of Coventry in the conservatory at Croome Court, Worcestershire.

The etymological root of the binomial name Chimonanthus is derived from the Greek xeimwn ‘winter’ and anqos ‘flower’. Praecox is derived from the Latin prae before and coxi ‘ripening’, i.e. early ripening.

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor (21/01/2012, Kew London)

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor (21/01/2012, Kew London)

The landscape architect may find Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor useful as a low maintenance, winter flowering, scented shrub.

Ecologically Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor is pollinated by insects

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate alkali soils. It will not tolerate winter water logging.

Chimonanthus praecox var. concolor requires little maintenance.

Davis Landscape Architecture