See text Meratia Loiseleur-Deslongchamps Sources: ING,[1] IPNI,[2] CPN[3] Chimonanthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Calycanthaceae, native to China,[4] but is also cultivated elsewhere in Asia, including Iran.

The flowers are 2–3 cm wide, with numerous spirally-arranged yellow or white tepals; they are strongly scented, and produced in late winter or early spring before the new leaves.

The plant prefers medium exposure to sunlight or high dappled shade,[7] a fresh climate (hardy to USDA Zone 7), and soft, acidic permeable ground not waterlogged in winter.

[8] A protected, south-facing wall encourages early flowering, and a position should be chosen where its spicy perfume can be appreciated while coming and going from the house.

Space needs to be allowed for its eventual spread to 3 m (10 ft), since untimely summer pruning to keep an ill-sited shrub in check will sacrifice flowering the following winter.

Its introduction into European gardens, from Japan, is noted for England, 1766,[11] when it was grown under glass for the sixth Earl of Coventry in the conservatory at Croome Court, Worcestershire.