This is my next ‘must have’ shrub and I do know where to find it. The edgeworthia is an open shrub that seems to be quite small and not unlike a callicarpa in form. The flowers though are quite something. We are all familiar with witch hazels that bloom in winter, and the casual but lovely winter honeysuckle but this character has only just come onto my radar. The yellow flowers are stunning in late winter and far more substantial than the wispy witch hazel. Where it has been,beside the local botanical garden, I don’t know but officially it survives to zone 8 – we are 7b, so maybe Atlanta Botanic Garden is just into 8. Looks like one of those borderline things that I will have to baby along and prove that it can almost live in zone 7 (..b) ish.
Katye- they have several edgeworthias at the Pike’s at Toco Hills. They have 2 sizes- around $40 and $60, I believe. It is reliably hardy here in Atlanta. Give it lots of room, and amend the soil well with organic materials. mine get a bit of midday sun. It was not very happy during the drought, so place it in a moist area if possible.
Good luck!
Thank you for that information – I will take a look at my local Pikes. They are spendid shrubs.
Hi Kate- the edgeworthia is hardy to zone 7- all the way down to 0 degrees- you should be fine! There are some beautiful specimens at Swarthmore arboretum and they are in zone 7a. Hope that helps!
Kate- Sorry, It is Scott Arboretum, not Swarthmore with the specimens- here is a link:
http://blogs.scottarboretum.org/gardenseeds/2009/04/edgeworthia-chrysantha-2/
Cheers, Lisa
I have 2 of these, I live in the Atlanta area, and have had them in the ground now for 3 years. the aroma is beautiful, they are still only about 3 feet tall, but their aroma fills the air in late winter, I just love them, they do need lots & lots of water! Mine are in a tree island area with seating nearby to enjoy them….hope you have as much luck!
Hi Kate,
I had recently purchased a E.chrysantha and planted the plant indoor. I gave it miracle grow indoor potting soil. The next two days I have notice the leaf have die downward? What is usually the case with that, is it not enough sun? or should I just leave it at my patio outside? I do live in NC right now is 80 in day time and 55 at night.
If I leave the plant outside will it kill the tree because it is too cold?
One more question, I planted some other plant and noticed the leaf are turning yellow why is that?
Thank You
Amy 919-771-7933
Amy
You may be borderline for Edgeworthia to survive outdoors – the one in the blog was Atlanta Botanical Garden which is 7b/8. The shrub is deciduous which means that the leaves will drop as the day length shortens. The blossom comes out very early before the new leaves arrive. I suggest you put the shrub outside until the weather really gets cold – say mid 20′s overnight when it will need protection. Indoors give it as much sun as possible and keep it cool.
It is tough to say why the other plant leaves are going yellow without knowing the plant or where it is. Do you have a picture you can show me, so that I can help you?