What hardiness zones is Edgeworthia chrysantha suitable for?

Edgeworthia chrysantha is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Edgeworthia chrysantha?

Edgeworthia chrysantha requires Part Shade.

How much water does Edgeworthia chrysantha need?

Edgeworthia chrysantha has Medium water needs.

Edgeworthia chrysantha, edgeworthia, paperbush

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Deciduous Shrubs

Edgeworthia chrysantha

edgeworthia, paperbush

Thymelaeaceae

Central China (Sichuan, Hubei provinces); long cultivated in Japan

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Width4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m)

Maturity6 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

7 - 9

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Fragrant (strong)

Maintenancelow

Overview

Edgeworthia chrysantha (paperbush, Oriental paperbush, mitsumata) is a deciduous shrub from China with two remarkable seasons of ornamental value — one of the finest winter-interest shrubs available for mild temperate gardens. It reaches 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m) tall and equally wide in a rounded, densely branched form with stiff, silver-gray stems. The branching pattern is botanically distinctive: stems fork consistently into exactly three branches at each node, giving the plant an architectural quality visible year-round. Beginning in November, nodding clusters of 20–40 flower buds form at every branch tip, each cluster covered in silky white hairs — these persist as ornamental silvery pom-poms throughout the entire winter, providing months of subtle interest on bare stems. In February through March, the buds open to reveal intensely fragrant tubular flowers: the outside remains covered in silky white-silver hairs, the inner tube opens to bright golden-yellow — the combination giving the flowers a two-toned silver-and-gold appearance. The fragrance is rich, sweet, and powerfully projecting, similar to but distinct from the Daphne fragrance. Large, elliptic blue-green leaves 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long follow in late spring, creating a lush, somewhat tropical-looking summer canopy. Edgeworthia chrysantha has been cultivated in Japan for centuries as the source of high-quality handmade paper (washi / mitsumata paper) from its strong, flexible inner bark fibers. Great Plant Picks endorsed.

Native Range

Native to China, found in Sichuan, Hubei, and adjacent provinces in mountain woodland and scrub. Long cultivated in Japan for papermaking and ornamental use.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen shrub for exceptional year-round interest — Great Plant Picks endorsed for PNW gardens. The winter flower bud display (November through February) followed by the intensely fragrant silver-and-gold flowers (February through March) makes this one of the finest choices for winter garden impact. Site near a path or seating area where the February fragrance and the architectural triple-forking branch structure can be appreciated. The PNW's mild maritime winters are ideal — flower buds rarely suffer severe frost damage in the lowland areas. Particularly effective in woodland gardens where it combines with Hellebores, early bulbs, and Hamamelis. The cultural story of mitsumata paper adds an engaging historical dimension to this plant.

How to Identify

Identified year-round by the distinctive consistently triple-forking branching pattern — stems fork into exactly three branches at each node, a unique characteristic. In November through February: nodding clusters of silky white-hairy flower buds at every branch tip. In February through March: tubular flowers with silky silver-white exterior and bright golden-yellow inner tube in drooping clusters of 20–40, powerfully fragrant. Large elliptic blue-green leaves 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) in spring through fall. The combination of triple-forking habit, winter bud display, and silver-gold winter flowers is unmistakable.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4' - 6'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks

Spring

Flower buds form at branch tips in November and remain as ornamental silvery-white pom-poms throughout winter — providing months of subtle interest before the flowers open. Flowers open February through March (occasionally late January in mild PNW winters): drooping clusters of 20–40 tubular flowers with silky white exterior and bright golden-yellow interior, intensely and sweetly fragrant. The bloom period lasts 4–6 weeks. Large blue-green leaves unfurl in April through May after the flowers finish.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

silver-white exterior with bright golden-yellow interior (intensely fragrant, drooping clusters)

Foliage Description

blue-green in summer; yellowish in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-8 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in dappled shade to part shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Thrives in the conditions typical of PNW woodland gardens — morning sun, afternoon shade, and consistent moisture without waterlogging. Shelter from cold drying winds, which can damage the large leaves and flower buds. Hardy to USDA Zone 7b (0°F / -18°C); in colder inland PNW locations, site against a south- or west-facing wall for additional warmth. The flower buds are hardy but can be damaged by hard frosts below 20°F (-7°C) — a north or east aspect may provide some protection by delaying bud development. Do not disturb the roots after planting. The flexible, fibrous stems are notably strong — they can be tied in knots without breaking, a quality prized for papermaking.

Pruning

Minimal pruning required — the distinctive triple-forking branch structure is a key ornamental feature and should not be disrupted by excessive cutting. Remove dead wood promptly. If a stem is removed, cut back to a lateral branch junction rather than leaving a stub. Light shaping after flowering (March through April) is acceptable. Do not hard-prune — Edgeworthia does not readily regenerate from old wood. Allow the natural architectural branching to develop without interference.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic