Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus'

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Other common names

wintersweet

Synonyms

Chimonanthus praecox 'Concolor'
Chimonanthus fragrans 'Luteus'
Chimonanthus praecox var. luteus

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Shrubs
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A medium-sized, bushy deciduous shrub, with rough-textured, glossy, lanceolate leaves to 20cm in length, and small, highly fragrant, waxy yellow flowers in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Calycanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Chimonanthus can be evergreen or deciduous shrubs with simple leaves and highly fragrant, bowl-shaped, many-petalled flowers borne in winter, followed by cylindrical or urn-shaped seed capsules
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed and softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)