Chimonanthus praecox, commonly known as wintersweet, is a deciduous shrub treasured for its intensely fragrant winter flowers. From mid to late winter, before the leaves emerge, small, waxy blooms open along the bare branches in translucent pale yellow, each often marked with a deep maroon centre. The scent is rich and sweet, carrying well on cold air and making it one of the most valuable shrubs for winter gardens. As spring arrives, fresh green leaves unfold to create a broad, upright shrub that provides structure through summer. Best planted near pathways or entrances where its fragrance can be appreciated, Chimonanthus praecox offers rare seasonal interest when little else is in bloom.