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Image of
Chimonanthus praecox or
Japanese
Allspice or Wintersweet
coming soon...
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Chimonanthus praecox
(Japanese
Allspice, Wintersweet) |
Synonyms: Calycanthus
praecox,
Chimonanthus fragrans, Meratia praecox
Family: Calycanthaceae
Light:
Part-full sun
Height: 10-15'
Spread: 10'
Blooms:
Prolific, fragrant, waxy,
bell-shaped, transparent, 1" long x 1" wide, thick petals,
sulphur-yellow outer petals, purple and brown stained inner whorl,
mid-Winter
Foliage:
Deciduous, green, veined,
opposite
Soil: Well-drained, sandy, loamy, clayey, lime-rich, acidic,
neutral, high alkaline
Water: Regular
Seedpods: Each pod contains 1-3 brown seed
Propagation:
Seeds (Sow ASAP in cold frame), cuttings (Summer), layering (Spring)
Uses: Specimen, windbreaker, landscaping, indoors, container,
sunny borders, flower arrangement, woodland garden
Comments:
Chimonanthus praecox or
Japanese
Allspice or Wintersweet
or
Calycanthus praecox
or
Chimonanthus fragrans
or
Meratia praecox is an
deciduous perennial shrub with a medium growth rate. In
mid-Winter, lovely pale yellow with purple-tinged center, pendant-shaped
blossoms hanging from bare leaf axils of woody stems, adding visual
interest in Winter. Insects are the main pollinators of
Chimonanthus praecox.
Green leaves appear in Spring after flowering season is over.
Japanese Allspice
is easier to propagate from seeds which takes about 2 months than from
cuttings. However for seed cultivated plants, blossoms will appear
only after at least 5 years of growth.
Calycanthus praecox
performs well in a sunny environment. In its native habitat, Wintersweet
is found in mountainous forest, cliffs and gorges in parts of south-eastern
China.
Chimonanthus fragrans
is not bothered by insects and will do well if planted next to a sunny
wall. Seedpods ripens from May to June.
Meratia praecox
flowers have many uses. The gorgerous scented blossoms are used in
potpourri and in perfumery. Wintersweet flowers.are edible
after being cooked, washed then with salt and oil added. In
traditional medicine, the flowers of
Chimonanthus praecox
have also
been used to treat depression white the roots and leaves were used
topically to treat cuts and rheumatism. The petals are used in
flavoring tea.
Calycanthus praecox
is a beautiful plant ot have in the landscape. Japanese Allspice receives
non-stop praises for its charm and powerful fragrance.
USDA Hardiness Zones : 7-10 |
