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Chimonanthus praecox is often confused with:
Chionanthus virginicus Chionanthus virginicus
Styrax japonicus Styrax japonicus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry
Jasminum nudiflorum Jasminum nudiflorum
Lonicera fragrantissima Lonicera fragrantissima

Chimonanthus praecox

Common Name(s):

Description

This plant is one you will not want to miss planting. The exotic-looking flowers will have you dreaming of exotic places during the winter and spring months. The vibrant colors of yelllow will transport you to experience that exotic look in your own garden. The essence of delicateness is in these flowers.

After flowering and looking absolutely gorgeous in the winter and spring months, this plant can be severely pruned to rejuvenate and bring that youthful, beautiful look for years to come.

This plant can grow in a range of soil conditions making it a great asset for many gardens. The texture of this plant is meedium to coarse. The form of this plant is a multi-stemmed, loose shrub with fountain-like effect and becomes leggy and ragged with age, however still holding onto its beauty.

Seed: Achene

Quick ID Hints:

  • Opposite leaves, rough to the touch.
  • Cane-like growth, fountain-shaped bush
  • Yellow, fragrant winter flowers, purplish inside
  • Deciduous shrub, blooms in winter, when leafless

Large, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub to 13', fountain-like outline. 

Winter-blooming on leafless branches, very fragrant. Can become quite unkempt-looking if old canes are not pruned out. Easy transplant; soil adaptable; needs good drainage; full sun to partial shade; needs regular pruning; zones 7-9; no serious pest problems.

Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Grandiflorus'
    showier and purer-yellow flowers than the species, inner petals a striped maroon, not as fragrant. Leaves may be a bit larger an
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#yellow#spring#shrub#yellow flowers#spring flowers#winter interest#playground#winter flowers#children's garden#winter garden#edible fruits#fantz
 
leaves
leaves David J Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
leaves
leaves Luigi Chiesa CC BY-SA 3.0
yellow flowers
yellow flowers t-Mizo CC BY 2.0
flowers
flowers Kristine Paulus CC-BY-SA 2.0
flowers
flowers Sen Ltto CC-BY-SA 2.0
leaves
leaves Krzysztof Ziarnek CC BY-SA 4.0
leaves
leaves Krzysztof Ziarnek CC BY-SA 4.0
Chimonanthus praecox - leaf blade
Chimonanthus praecox - leaf blade Jim Lawrence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Grandiflorus'
    showier and purer-yellow flowers than the species, inner petals a striped maroon, not as fragrant. Leaves may be a bit larger an
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#yellow#spring#shrub#yellow flowers#spring flowers#winter interest#playground#winter flowers#children's garden#winter garden#edible fruits#fantz
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chimonanthus
    Species:
    praecox
    Family:
    Calycanthaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China North-Central, China South-Central & China Southeast
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts pollinators. Birds feed on the fruit.
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Multi-trunked
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    non-showy fruit. Urn-shaped receptacle bearing 5-8 bean-shaped achenes, non-ornamental.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    0.7-1 in. waxy, yellowish-white, cupped flowers in winter to early spring; fragrant; purple centers; occurs on previous season's growth; inner tepals brown or purple, outer tepals yellow, fragrant, borne in axils of previous summer's wood, on leafless branches.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are green and the veins can be easily seen since the vein are a lighter color. Opposite, simple, lustrous, dark green leaves; 2.5-6 in. long; yellow-green fall color. Ovate-lanceolate, entire, acuminate, cuneate, rough to the touch.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Brown
    Bark Description:
    Bark is dark brown to black.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Orange
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Squarish, shiny gray-brown, covered with orange-brown lenticels; cane-like growth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Winter Garden
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds