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