Paperbush
Fragrant Winter Flowers
Deceptively easy and remarkably low-maintenance, this deer resistant shrub is an ideal choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
Edgeworthia chrysantha, commonly known as paperbush or golden paper plant, is a fascinating and exquisite flowering shrub, native to Asia, that captures the hearts of gardeners and plant lovers around the world. This deciduous shrub with fragrant winter flowers is adaptable and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
The fragrant winter flowers of Paperbush.
Paperbush is celebrated for its striking and delicately fragrant late winter flowers. Silvery flower buds develop during the summer months and persist on bare stems until late winter, when fragrant golden yellow flowers burst into bloom.
Each individual flower consists of small, tubular blossoms that are densely packed into round clusters, standing out against the shrub's bare branches.
Flowering lasts through April, and provides a great source of much-needed nectar for early pollinators in the late winter and early spring months, when little else is available.
After blooming, the shrub leafs out with attractive blue-green leaves, and takes on a tropical appearance.
Paperbush is a relative of Daphne, but is much more adaptable and easier to grow!
How to Grow and Care for Paperbush
Hearty in zones 7-10, this low-maintenance shrub with fragrant winter flowers prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil high in organic matter. It has a moderate growth rate, eventually reaching a mature size of 4-6 feet high and wide in 10 years.
Paperbush needs minimal pruning, other than snipping off the occasional dead or damaged branch. Fungal problems (powdery mildew, leaf spot) and insect pests (aphids, scale) can occasionally plague paperbush.
Freezing temperatures can have an impact on blooms, causing them to wither and die. Edgeworthia is considered to be a deer resistant plant. While no plant is truly deer-proof, deer do tend to leave paperbush alone.
When planting paperbush, remember that all newly planted garden plants need lots of water. It takes time for young plants to develop a root system that can absorb enough water and become established.
Brush up on your watering skills and learn more about proper watering techniques here.
Edgworthia is a deer resistant plant. Deer don't like the taste of the winter flowers and leaves, and tend to leave it alone.
Landscaping Ideas for Paperbush
Foundation Planting: Plant paperbush near the foundation of your home to create a stunning focal point. Its fragrant winter flowers will add interest and fragrance to the front of your house.
Mixed Shrub Border: Combine paperbush with other deciduous and evergreen shrubs to create a dynamic, year-round border.
Woodland Garden: Plant paperbush alongside with other partial shade-loving plants, like ferns, heucheras, and astilbes, to create a serene woodland garden.
Japanese Garden: Paperbush is an excellent choice for a Japanese-style garden. Combine it with Japanese maples, Japanese andromeda, azaleas, and Hakone grass.
Mixed Perennial Border: Integrate paperbush into the back of a mixed perennial border. Its early-season blooms will complement the later-blooming perennials for year-round interest.
Specimen: Use paperbush as a focal point in your landscape; plant it as a solitary specimen to draw attention to its striking appearance and fragrance.
Different Types of Paperbush
‘Snow Cream’ is a large, umbrella-shaped shrub growing up to 8 feet high and wide. Fast-growing and hardy!
‘Gold Rush’ is great choice for bringing fragrant winter flowers to smaller gardens - it has a mature size of 5 feet tall and wide.
‘Grandiflora’ is a vigorous grower with larger flowers, popular in the UK and hard to find in the U.S.
‘Red Dragon’ ( also called ‘Akebono’) is a red-flowered cultivar and may be difficult to find.
