Edgeworthia Gardeners Tips
Edgeworthia is a genus of shrubs that flower in small clusters of scented 4 petaled flowers tightly packed to form a ball shape. The genus is related to the Daphne family and can be grown in the UK with similar treatment and success.
You can get a long display as they flowers open progressively from winter through February until it leafs up in spring. Varieties may be evergreen or deciduous.
Key Tips
- Avoid waterlogged soil and soil prone to drying out.
- Plants grow well around other shrubs without being too enclosed.
- Despite being called the Paper tree it only responds well to light pruning to retain shape.
- Buy when the plants are in leaf so you can assess it’s health
Growing Characteristics
- Plants mature to a height of 5ft by 5ft in a rounded shape.
- Plants would survive in a greenhouse or conservatory if your garden is too exposed.
- Flowers are in terminal clusters opening in January February before the leaves.
- Leaves of the deciduous varieties are lance-shaped, dark green and 6ins long.
- The bark is cinnamon-coloured with papery flakes.  Bark was used in the manufacture of high-quality paper for Japanese banknotes.
Edgeworthia Varieties
- Edgeworthia chrysantha produces a tight yellow ball shaped flower on a leafless stem
- Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Rubra’
- Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Red Dragon’ as the name implies has fiery red flowers when fully open
- Edgeworthia papyrifera is also known as the paperbush
- Edgeworthia chrysantha Grandiflora is reputed to have larger flowerheads
Plants are available from Thomson and Morgan (credit the Photo) and Burncoose