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More South Portland Study Weekend Gardens, pt. 2

The last three gardens on last Saturday's tour included a large shade garden, a tropical oasis and an Asian-inspired retreat. First, the Hilderbrand garden in Oregon City. This garden is set in a grove of Douglas Fir trees and has paved pathways that meander through plantings of dogwoods, hydrangeas, viburnums, kalmias and other shade-loving plants.  The garden of Michael Hicks and Megan Big John is a quarter-acre plot in West Linn. This garden is packed with plantings of tropical plants with big beautiful leaves and vibrant pops of color. Helena Wagner's "4 Seasons Garden" is a garden that I have visited in the past. It features an Asian-inspired theme with beautifully placed plants, with nice colors and contrasts. Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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Edgeworthia - Chinese Paper Bush

Click on photos for larger image
After my last post, I received several questions and comments about this shrub. First of all, it isn't growing in our garden. It belongs to a friend. I've always wanted one and almost purchased it a few years ago but finally faced the sad reality that there isn't room for it in our garden.

Edgeworthia chrysantha (E. papyrifera), common name Chinese Paper Bush, is native to China where the bark is used to make high grade paper. It is related to daphne and in similar fashion, has exquisite fragrant blooms in late winter before leaves appear. The stems of the shrub are pliable and can be formed into knots.

Growing up to 6 feet tall and wide, white buds emerge in fall on the tips of the branches and fully open to pale to bright yellow in late winter. The flowers hang downward. It is easy to grow in semi-shade in moist soil that is well drained. This is an ideal shrub for a woodland garden. Many references say that this is a zone 8 plant but it obviously grows well here in zone 7.  I would recommend a sheltered location.






Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Fishtail CottageMarch 28, 2011 at 7:38 PM

    So pretty! gorgeous flower!

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  2. Randy EmmittMarch 28, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Phillip,

    It grows well here in NC. I have seen it in VA. Already finished blooming here. We don't have room either.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownNovember 9, 2018 at 6:30 AM

      Where in NC, coast, piedmont or mountain? What Ph is your soil?
      Thanks

      Delete
  3. Chandramouli SMarch 28, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Flowers look lovely and kind of soft! Nice photos, Phillip!

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 29, 2011 at 4:47 AM

    I figured it was a southern plant since I had never heard of it. It is pretty. Things like this gives me plant envy.

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  5. ConnorMarch 29, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Thanks for the post on the paper bush, Phillip! Wish we could grow one here!

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  6. PamMarch 29, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    I'm so glad I came across this today - I keep meaning to add this to my garden, and each fall keep forgetting. Maybe this year I'll try putting it in now, meaning that I'll need some patience (what? what's that??) before I see it bloom in my own garden. I think it's just gorgeous - thank you for the reminder!

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  7. compost in my shoeMarch 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    If you can find the cultivar of Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Winter Gold', buy it. The flowers are doyble the size of the species. Great pictures of the flower in your post.

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  8. JanetMarch 29, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I wonder if I could grow this in Scotland? I would make room..

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  9. F CameronMarch 30, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    I have coveted Edgeworthia for so many years, but have never found the "perfect spot" in my garden. I have to go to the public gardens to see them in bloom every year!

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  10. Los Angeles GardeningJuly 11, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    WOW, those pictures are so beautiful. Love the blog, keep up the great work!

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