The winter is still going on, but the garden is not deeply asleep at all. On a frostless sunny day, there is a strong sweet scent in the air. It is the early wintering flower Chimonanthus praecox, an unusual shrub native to China.During mild winters its flower buds open gradually from December to March.The waxed bell-shaped flowers are somewhat similar to forsythia. They have narrow yellow petals with a pink or red blotch.
The vanilla scent of flowers is especially intense in strong sunlight. The shrub has a loose habit, it reaches a height and width of 3-4.5 m.Its leaves are narrow, stiff and resemble willow leaves.The winter flower looks the least interesting in summer, while it becomes more beautiful in autumn, when the green leaves turn yellow before falling.Its bottle-shaped fruit, which develops in May, is also interesting.
Unfortunately, in harsh winters, the shrub may freeze, therefore it should be provided with a warm, sunny place, sheltered from northern and eastern winds. Young plants require careful care of several years.
Kalina bodnancka will start blooming soon
Not only the winter flower can bloom many times in the warmer periods of winter. Viburnum bodnantense viburnum behaves in a similar way. Its first flower buds open already in November.The attractive spectacle extends until April, and is only interrupted by short pauses on too cold days, when frost stops the vegetation of plants. This unusual property makes this shrub one of the most valuable species that blooms the longest.
Collected in dense clusters, tubular, strongly fragrant flowers are light pink or white. The dark green glossy leaves are ovoid in shape and turn orange, red and purple in color in autumn. Viburnum bodnancka with thin shoots reaches a height and width of about 3 m.
Let's recall the most popular garden perennials
Jasminum nudiflorum jasmine is also proud of its winter flowers. As early as December, bright yellow flowers up to 2.5 cm in diameter appear on flaccid, leafless and dark green shoots.The main flowering period lasts from February to April and then the shoots of the plant fade under the mass of golden stars.Dark green round leaves unfold at the end of March.
Frost-resistant climber reaches a height of about 3 m. Likes permeable soil and strong sunlight. Jasmine should be planted and unfastened against the southern wall.
