Native Plant Alternatives to Poncirus trifoliata (Hardy Orange)

Poncirus trifoliata, also known as the Trifoliate orange or Hardy orange, is native to northern China and Korea. It has been widely cultivated and used as a rootstock for citrus trees.

It’s a hardy, deciduous shrub or small tree that can withstand much colder temperatures than most citrus plants, which makes it a desirable choice for grafting to improve the hardiness of more delicate citrus varieties.

That said, in some regions or under certain conditions, Poncirus trifoliata can potentially spread and become a nuisance. It produces thorny thickets and its fruits, while not typically eaten fresh due to their sourness and bitterness, can be spread by wildlife.

Hardy Orange is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.