Edgeworthia chrysantha

Paper bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) is a deciduous shrub native to China and the Himalayas, named after its traditional use as paper. Similar in appearance to Daphne odora, it blooms from late winter to early spring, bearing clusters of showy, scented flowers on leafless branches. The flowers of Edgeworthia chrysantha and the cultivated variety 'Grandiflora' are yellow and white. Blooms of Edgeworthia chrysantha ‘Red Dragon’ are orange-red.

Edgeworthia chrysantha is slow-growing and eventually forms a rounded shrub with a maximum height and spread of 1.5m. From spring it bears long and slender, dark green leaves up to 15cm long, which are clustered at the branch tips. It's not the easiest shrub to grow and needs the right location and soil to thrive, but makes a valuable contribution to the winter garden where conditions are suitable. Edgeworthia chrysantha is suitable for growing in milder areas of the UK or, in colder areas, grown against a wall, and is hardy down to around -5֯ºC. It can also be grown in a pot, which means it can be moved to a conservatory or unheated greenhouse cover for winter.

How to grow Edgeworthia chrysantha

The best place to grow Edgeworthia chrysantha is in dappled shade, or in a west- or east-facing position out of the strongest midday sun. Fertile, moisture-retentive yet well-drained soil is a must, and a good mulch of leaf mould once a year will create excellent soil conditions. Once established, Edgeworthia chrysantha needs little attention apart from pruning out crossing or wayward shoots, immediately after flowering has finished.