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Summary
Bloom Color: Yellow.
Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Rounded.
Physical Characteristics
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.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
C. fragrans. Lindl. Calycanthus praecox. Meratia praecox.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:
Flowers - thoroughly boiled and then washed[179]. Eaten with oil and salt[177, 183]. The flower petals are used to flavour and scent tea[183].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic Antirheumatic Sialagogue
The flowers and flower buds contain 0.5 - 0.6%.essential oils comprising benzylalcohol, benzyl acetate, linalool, terpineol and indole[266]. They are sialagogue[178, 218]. The flowers are used in the treatment of thirst and depression whilst the essential oil is used to treat colds[266]. The leaves and roots can be used in the treatment of contusions, cuts, haemorrhages, strains, lumbago, rheumatism, numbness and colds[266].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Essential Wood
The flowers are very fragrant, they are used in pot-pourri and to make perfumes[1, 46, 61]. The wood, after soaking in water, polishes to a brilliant black finish[178].
Special Uses
Espalier Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:
Border, Espalier, Foundation, Massing. Requires a good soil in a sunny sheltered position[164, 200]. Badly drained or compacted soils may cause blotching or yellowing of the leaves[200]. Succeeds in most soils but it seems most at home on chalky ones[219]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -25°c[184]. It is best grown on a sunny wall, however, in order to protect the flowers and induce heavier flowering[11]. The flowers are very fragrant[182], but the plant can be very sparse flowering after cool summers[184]. Plants have a moderate rate of growth[202]. Plants take 5 - 12 years to flower from seed[182, 200]. The var. 'Grandiflorus' comes true from seed and has larger flowers than the type[78]. Plants flower profusely when established and left unpruned[219], if any pruning is necessary then it is best done immediately after flowering[184, 219]. The flowers are produced on the leaf axils of wood 3 - 4 years old[202]. The flowers emit a powerful sweet fragrance which can be smelt 50 yards away. The smell is like jonquil and violets[245]. When the fragrance is inhaled close to for any length of time the smell seems to disappear[245]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:
Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78, 200]. 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[164]. Germination is usually good, though it is often slow and erratic, and takes place in 2 months or more at 13°c[78, 164]. 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[11]. Layering in spring[200] or in July/August[78]. Takes 9 months[78]. Fair to good percentage[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
11200266
Links / References
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