Edgeworthia Paper Bush

Edgeworthia chrysantha

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 7a-10a Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 5-6′

Width at Maturity: 6-8′

Spacing: 5-6′ apart for hedges; 12’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Broad mounding form

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: Bright Yellow, Yellow, White

Flower Size: Large clusters of small flowers

Flowering Period: Late Winter thru Early Spring

Flower Type: Cluster

Fragrant Flowers: Yes – highly fragrant!

Foliage Color: Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Sun Needs: Shade or Mostly Shade, Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade, Filtered All Day Sun

Water Needs: Low when established. Needs more during drought periods

Soil Type: Clay (Amended), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Moderately Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Heavy Shade, Insect

Description

One of the all-time favorite plants in our own gardens, Edgeworthia, also called Paper Bush, is a truly a multi-season color and fragrance factory. In January, white flower buds begin opening to wonderfully fragrant, golden-yellow, honeysuckle like flowers densely packed in round clusters that continue to April. We’ve yet to meet a person who didn’t like the wonderful perfume the flowers emit. During the warm season, the plant is adorned with long, plumeria-like leaves that provide a lush, tropical look in shady areas. The leaves turn yellow in fall before dropping in early winter to reveal both the wonderful bark and the large, silvery-white flower buds at the tips of every stem on the plant.

Tip: Cut a few stems with buds off to enjoy the fragrance in indoor floral arrangements.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing in a large mound 5 to 6 feet tall and up to twice as wide, Edgeworthia is ideal for use as an accent or specimen in medium size landscape spaces and home foundation plantings. In large landscape spaces it can be planted in groupings or as natural hedges. Plant near windows, patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living areas where the fragrance can be enjoyed. A fine addition to fragrance gardens, yellow theme gardens, cut flower gardens, woodland gardens, cottage gardens, and tropical-look gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 5 to 6 feet apart for solid hedges; 12 feet or more apart for space between plants

Note: For our customers who live and garden North of USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 7a, where this Edgeworthia is not reliably winter hardy, you’ll be happy to know it can be grown in containers that can be brought indoors during winter and place back outside when temperatures warm up in spring.

Growing Preferences

Edgeworthia is exceptionally easy to grow in moist but well-drained soils rich in organic matter and shade or part shade. Morning sun is fine but avoid direct afternoon sun. The established plants in our gardens rarely require watering however young plants might require supplemental irrigation during prolonged periods of summer drought. If leaves wilt and droop during a drought, a watering will perk them back up within minutes. Be careful to pick just the right spot for this plant because it does not like being transplanted once established.

Note: Find helpful advice from our experts under the Planting & Care tab above on desktops and below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

MEET OUR STAFF >

Questions? Contact Us!

I paid $49. for this plant which I sought for over 3 weeks of researching the internet. The delivering carrier’s delivery was delayed and the box looked like it was in a war however; the Paper Bush was safe and sound, I was surprised at it’s condition “perfect”, the specimen had a thick main stem with several branches covered with healthy leaves which were somewhat droopy from it’s time in the box however; they perked up once I watered it and placed it in my fragrance garden. I was/am very pleased, so much so that I ordered another.———————————————-Thanks for the photo, kind words and wonderful review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Bought as a gift. Recipient reports it arrived in good condition and (bonus!) in bloom. Happy with purchase.—————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope the recipient enjoys it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Received this plant in a very well packaged box and is of more than a feet tall. It already had a beautiful bloom ready to pop, which it opened shortly with nice fragrance. Already planted in the ground and looking forward to enjoying it for years to come.————————————————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Beautiful plant and well rooted. Arrived promptly and well packaged. We planted and excited to see it settle in and thrive.————————————–Thanks for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Extremely happy with my purchase. It was delivered very fast and in perfect condition. My plant has 5 healthy buds that are developing and I can’t wait to see them bloom and smell the scent. Great job Wilson Gardens!——————————————Thanks for the photo! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I was so happy to see this rare plant available on this website! It’s an early herald of spring and necessary source of pollen for the bees. I’ve transplanted it into my yard by the pond…I cant wait to see it bloom next year!——————————————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Well packaged. Beautiful plant. I have never had a problem with Wilson Brothers Gardens. Cannot wait to see it bloom.—————————————————————————————We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Love this bush. This is my second one I have ordered from Wilson Bros. Both are thriving in my woods. The smell from the flowers in late February is out of this world. Also, the large leaves are unique and soft.————————————————–They do smell wonderful! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant came well packaged with buds on each branch. smells delightful. Hopefully, it makes it through this cold snap.—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the kind words and great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

Healthy and nice size plant.————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I purchased an edgeworthia plant. Very nicely sized plant with blooms on it, very fast shipping. Highly recommend and will definitely be doing business again. Thank you!—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Plant arrived very fast, well packaged. It was a great size and healthy. A real pleasant surprise that it was so big because that is not always the case when ordering on line.————————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

1 gallon size. It came well packaged and of course it is dormant at this time of the year. I am looking forward to see it break dormancy this spring!——————————————–Hi Deborah, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Edgeworthia chrysantha. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

I have ordered a lot from my old local nursery, White Flower Farm, over the past thirty years. Your service is every bit as good as theirs, my edgeworthias are 100% fabulous, and your shipping is better. They are happy and thriving. Thanks!———————————————————————Hi LS, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Edgeworthia chrysantha. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks so much for the great review! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

Fast shipping. Arrived with a bloom which has been looking and smelling great for weeks now. It’s now starting to leaf out. Just what I expected for the price.—————————————–WBG Reply: Hi Chris, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Edgeworthia chrysantha. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

This plant has a beautiful scent. The plant arrived with a bloom and has since put on leaves. I’m so happy to add this to my garden.———————–WBG Reply: Hi June, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Edgeworthia chrysantha. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! It’s one of my favorites!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens–