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Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
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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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    1. UnknownNovember 9, 2018 at 6:30 AM

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

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  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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