Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Grandiflora'
(Paperbush)
Family - Thymelaeaceae
Category - Shrub
Season of Interest - Spring, Winter
Hardiness - H4
Height - up to 2m
Width - 1.5m
Location - The Spring Garden, The Stumpery
Description: A medium-sized Deciduous Shrub with a rounded, open habit. Deep blue-green leaves are lanceolate in shape and emerge after the flowers. Tubular flowers are cross-shaped when fully open and held in umbel-like clusters. The Blooms are white on the outside, golden yellow inside and fade entirely to creamy white with age. The flowers are produced from late winter into early spring at the tips of the branches and are fragrant.
The bark of this plant has been used to make paper, including some Japanese banknotes, hence the common name, paperbush.
Flower:
Umbel-like clusters of tubular flowers that are cruciform when fully open are produced in February and March before the leaves emerge. Each bloom is white on the outside, golden yellow inside and will fade to creamy white with age. The flower clusters are fragrant and held at the tips of the branches.
Flower colour: Yellow, white
Flower shape: Tubular, cruciform flowers in clusters
Flowering time: February, March
Foliage:
Blue-green, oval to lanceolate leaves are produced after the flowers emerge and are held in spirals at the tips of the branches.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oval to lanceolate
Propagation:
Cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in full sun to partial shade. Prefers rich, fertile soil that is moisture-retentive, but well-drained.