Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush)

Providing winter interest and fragrance, Edgeworthia chrysantha (Paperbush) is a bushy, suckering, deciduous shrub, prized for its luminous, rounded inflorescences, 2 in. across (5 cm), packed with fragrant, silky white and yellow flowers (up to 40 per flower head). Blooming on naked stems over long periods, at least 4-6 weeks in late winter and early spring, they open from silvery flower buds that begin to form in late summer and are ornamentally attractive in fall and winter. In the summer, the plant is covered in beautiful, narrowly oval, dark blue-green leaves, 6 in. long (15 cm), with silvery undertones. In fall, the leaves drop to reveal a wonderfully structured plant that develops sweet-smelling winter flowers. Superb in shape and form, Paperbush is a wonderful plant to combine with shade-tolerant evergreens and wildflowers. It is widely grown in Japan to make paper, hence the common name.

• Grows up to 4-6 ft. tall and wide (120-180 cm).
• Full sun or light dappled shade lover, this plant is easily grown in humus-rich, loamy, well-drained soils. Protect from strong winds.
• Perfect as a specimen plant, for shrub borders, foundation plantings, or containers.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Propagate by root greenwood and semi-ripe nodal stem-tip cuttings in summer in free-draining compost.
• No routine pruning is necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots. .
• Native to China.