Associate Chimonanthus

In a free hedge or a bush massif, with other winter flowerings.

Chimonanthus is best paired with other shrubs that flower in mid-winter! It is the perfect companion for witch hazels, Edgeworthia chrysantha, and Abeliophyllum distichum or Korean white forsythia. Together, they will bring a pleasant touch of colour and light to the heart of winter. Also consider winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), whose yellow flowers appearing on its bare branches will echo those of chimonanthus. Don’t forget the male dogwood, Cornus mas, which also flowers in yellow! Discover the unique Garrya elliptica, which bears long white aments between January and March, gracefully cascading from its branches. Its spectacular flowering will create an extraordinary display! Alongside these winter-flowering shrubs, feel free to plant some evergreen shrubs (osmanthus, holly, laurustinus, mahonias…) as well as some early-flowering bulbs: crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops…

Abeliophyllum distichum (photo: Sharon K.), Chimonanthus praecox, Hamamelis intermedia, Jasminum nudiflorum, Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Red Dragon’, and Garrya elliptica ‘James Roof’

With fragrant flowering bushes

Chimonanthus is appreciated for its intensely fragrant flowering, which earns it the nickname “fragrant Chimonanthus”. Its flowers indeed release a floral and spicy scent, reminiscent of hyacinth, orange zest, and honey. Take the opportunity to create a scented garden by pairing it with the bush honeysuckle Lonicera fragrantissima, which offers white flowers at the same time that evoke jasmine and lemon, as well as Daphne odora and Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’. Also consider Sarcococca and Camellia ‘Cinnamon Cindy’ (whose flowers release a pleasant cinnamon scent!). Don’t hesitate to pick flowering branches from the Chimonanthus and these bushes to fragrance your home and enjoy them even more!

Lonicera fragrantissima, Chimonanthus praecox, Camellia ‘Cinnamon Cindy’, Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’, Sarcococca hookeriana digyna ‘Purple Stem’ and Daphne odora

With decorative wood bushes

Compose with Chimonanthus to create a true “Winter garden” surrounded by bushes with decorative bark. Dogwoods are particularly valuable for bringing colour in the depths of winter: their branches turn red, orange, or yellow depending on the varieties. Consider, for example, Cornus sanguinea, Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’, Cornus alba ‘Baton Rouge’, or Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’. You can easily combine several of these varieties to create a vibrant display! Alongside them, plant a Prunus serrula ‘Amber Scots’ and a twisted hazel, Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, with its strange undulating branches. Add splashes of colour with some decorative berry plants, such as Callicarpa, Symphorine, Pyracantha, and Gaultheria.

For more information and advice, feel free to consult our dedicated sheet on the winter garden or Winter garden.

Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’, Chimonanthus yunnanensis, Callicarpa bodinieri ‘Imperial Pearl’, Cornus sericea ‘Baileyi’, Gaultheria procumbens, and Prunus serrula ‘Amber Scots’

In a zen garden

Originating from China, Chimonanthus has a very graphic style and will integrate beautifully into an Asian garden. In winter, its bare branches covered with small yellow flowers will become the centrepiece of a zen garden, creating a simple and refined atmosphere. Place bamboo on the outer edges of the garden, such as Phyllostachys nigra, Fargesia, or Pseudosasa japonica, to create a green curtain. In the centre, plan for a pond or a mineral area with raked white gravel in stripes or spirals, along with some decorative rocks. Nearby, install Chimonanthus alongside cloud-pruned or niwaki shrubs (pines, junipers…). They will be perfect for structuring the garden! Also, focus on trees and shrubs with a tiered silhouette: Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’, Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’… Next to them, install ferns like Cyrtomium fortunei, as well as Nandina domestica and Japanese maples. Finally, highlight pathways by installing Japanese stepping stones. This will create a very harmonious garden, conducive to meditation and relaxation, giving you the feeling of travelling in Asia!

Discover our advice sheet: “Creating a Japanese or Zen Garden”

Cyrtomium fortunei (photo: Nanou El), Chimonanthus praecox, Nandina domestica ‘Brightlight’, Juniperus pruned in niwaki, Phyllostachys nigra

With early flowering bulbs and perennials

Add colour to the base of your Chimonanthus praecox by pairing it with bulbs and small perennials that flower very early, in winter or early spring. Consider, for example, the beautiful purple flowers of the Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’, as well as the blue flowers of the Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’ and the hyacinth ‘Delft Blue’. Enjoy the charming little white bell-shaped flowers of the snowflake Leucojum vernum. The yellow flowering of the Eranthis hyemalis will echo that of the Chimonanthus, bringing a lovely touch of brightness! You can also enjoy the elegant flowering of hellebores: they come in a wide range of colours, often in soft and warm tones. Discover, for example, the variety ‘Ice n’ Roses Red’, which offers large flowers in a purplish pink-red shade, beautifully nuanced.

Leucojum vernum, Chimonanthus praecox, Hyacinthus ‘Delft Blue’, Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ and Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’ (photo: iBulb), Eranthis hyemalis (photo: Danny S.), Helleborus ‘Ice n’ Roses Red’