If you're looking for a plant that produces stunning, highly fragrant flowers in the depths of winter, consider Chimonanthus praecox Winter Sweet. This vigorous deciduous shrub can grow up to 4m tall with an erect trunk and leaves up to 29cm long. During winter, the bare stems are covered with yellow or pale green-yellow flowers with 15-21 tepals each, many of which are additionally flushed with purplish red pigments. The fragrant flowers are used in pot-pourri and perfumes, while the wood, after soaking, is polished to a brilliant black finish. Chimonanthus praecox Winter Sweet is not only a must-have for gardeners who value flower colour in winter, but also for those interested in traditional Chinese medicine, as an oil made from the flowers is used to treat colds. Add this beautiful plant to your garden, for its stunning visual effects and its well-known therapeutic benefits.