Wintersweet, Japan all-spice

A beautiful deciduous shrub, native to China. Fragrant bell-like, pale-yellow flowers, inside dark reddish purple, highly fragrant and produced during winter. Chimonanthus praecox is best utilised as a winter shrub, where its strongly scented pendant flowers can lift the whole garden. Unusual, gourd-shaped fruits about 4cm long can appear after flowering. It also has an attractive, often multi-stemmed growth habit and handsome winter bark. Grows well in most soils. Good trained as a wall shrub. May be cut back after flowering.

Site: Requires some shelter
Soil: Any well-drained soil
Position: Full sun, some shade
Season of Interest: Winter/Spring flowers, Autumn colour
Hardiness: Hardy
Height: 8ft (2.5m) Spread: 10ft (3m)