Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

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

Comments

  1. Phillip,

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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where in NC, coast, piedmont or mountain? What Ph is your soil?
      Thanks

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

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

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  6. 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.

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

    ReplyDelete
  8. 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!

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

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts