"Winter, Sweet Winter"
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| Scientific Name: | Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link |
| Author: | Carl Linnaeus, (1707-1778) and Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link, (1767-1851) |
| Common Name: | Wintersweet |
| Plant Family: | CALYCANTHACEAE |
Venturing from the Visitor Centre deck, via the ramp at the western end, to the Residence Garden you will pass beneath an archway of Cherry Laurel hedge. Whilst admiring this splendid horticultural structure your spirits may be lifted by a fragrance with promise of Spring.
Tucked in between the hedge and a camellia, a bare branched tall shrub with small cream flowers generates the springtime scent. This is Chimonanthus praecox, Wintersweet. There is another, inaccessible, specimen, at the back of the shrubbery beyond the tree with the circular seat.
Past the Residence and down the path to the 'Big Oaks' and the bulb lawn you will encounter another species of Chimonanthus. This specimen, wild collected from Yunnan, China, is Chimonanthus yunnanensis.
The Greek words, cheimon, winter and anthos, flower, were used to describe the Wintersweet genus of six species from China. For our feature plant, praecox, refers to the early flowering season. David Mabberley in his 'The plant-book', 1997, says that in China it's flowers have long been used in linen (like lavender).
Best grown in cooler areas, so that the leaves will not remain to obscure the flowers, this genus prefers fertile, well-drained soils and protection from heavy frosts that may damage the 'blossoms'. Poorly drained and compacted soils should be avoided.
Remember to stay alert for 'Jack Frost' or his companions who have joined us this wonderful Winter.
Jan Allen
Garden Information Officer