It is hardy to zones 4 to 9 and originates in China. The
leaves fall off in autumn and reveal a dramatic interior of spiny, dark-green
stems.
Hardy Orange prefers a full-sun location, but it can take
some shade. It also prefers acidic, well-draining soils. It can grow to 15 feet
high and wide. Once established, it is drought-tolerant.
The small fruits ripen in fall and are full of seeds and the
juice is lemon-like. It can be used to make a marmalade, but is generally
treated more as an ornamental fruit than an edible one.
The ‘Flying Dragon’ cultivar has beautiful twisting branches
and is available by mail order or at local independent garden centers.
Prune it carefully, when needed, by wearing thick leather gloves
and eye protection. You can take stem cuttings
to propagate it or try your luck at planting the seeds.
Hardy Orange: You Can Grow That!
The video was produced
by Washington Gardener Magazine.
Audio and Text by Kathy Jentz
Additional Video Footage by Charlotte Benedetto and Kathy Jentz
Partially filmed at the US National Arboretum’s Asian Collection.
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You can, and I do! I saw one at the Philadelphia Garden Show years ago and was beguiled by it. I found the Flying Dragon variety offered in a catalogue, and bought and planted it. It's been in quite a shady location (under a holly tree) and last year a few fruits appeared! This year it was loaded with them. Such an interesting plant it is, indeed. A real conversation starter. So glad to see it featured here.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you had good success with it - even in a shady spot. Much of the research I did said it will not tolerate shade, though that is exactly where I saw it growing and thriving in local gardens.
DeleteMy neighbor's grows in a very shady spot at the back of our lot line.
Delete