Wintersweet

Chimonanthus praecox

• Position: full sun
• Soil: any fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: December to February
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Small, sweetly scented, sulphur-yellow flowers, stained purple inside appear on bare branches throughout the winter months. This vigorous shrub makes a lovely specimen plant for a sunny, well-drained mixed or winter border close to a house entrance or path where its scent can be appreciated. Highly prized by floral arrangers, a stem of these unusual, bowl-shaped blooms makes a wonderfully fragrant indoor display.
  
  
• Garden care: Minimal pruning is required. Remove crossing, dead or diseased branches in late spring and apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant.