This 2000 Plant Delights/JLBG introduction is one of the most prized plants in our garden. All summer, the 8' tall x 8' wide umbrella-shaped clump of this woody daphne cousin is composed of smooth, brown trunks, adorned with plumeria-like leaves. The foliage drops in mid-December to reveal both the wonderful bark and the large, silvery flower buds. The flower buds open steadily from mid-January to early April, producing an overwhelmingly fragrant display of pendent, golden yellow flowers. Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Snow Cream' is a triploid form that is much more winter hardy (below 0 degrees F) than the older diploid form which used to be sold as Edgeworthia papyrifera. The red-flowered 'Akebono' (Red Dragon' is sadly the much less hardy diploid form.
This plant arrived in good condition and made a valiant effort to grow outdoors here in El Paso but, like many other plants, simply couldn't withstand the lowest humidity in the mi...view moreddle of summer. Pity. view less
Bought a 12" twig of a plant (snow cream edgeworthia) from Plant Delights in Raleigh, NC. about 2 1/2 years ago. I had already lost one that my landscaper had put in, but I wanted...view more one desperately. In that one year it had grown about 2 feet high and had flowers that year. This year it is between three or four feet beautifully spherical with many branches and covered with flowers. I can not believe how fast or beautifully it has grown. It is a couple of feet away from the house on the northern side near a sidewalk and driveway. It gets morning shade and afternoon sun. I have done nothing to it. With my first one, the landscaper had said water, but I think it died of root rot since it is a woody shrub. So with the second one, I did nothing and it flourished. I also believe the supplier had a lot to do with its success. Everything I get from Plant Delights does well. I live in Albemarle, NC which is NE of Charlotte. view less
This is a remarkable plant. I have it in a somewhat protected, two-sided courtyard in zone 6b. It has survived for 6(?) winters, 2 of which were particularly brutal. I have it p...view morelanted near a high-traffic partly shaded area of a college campus and I get more questions and comments about this plant than any other on the entire campus. The plant in leaf is very tidy and clean-looking with a pleasing shape. As the leaves turn yellow (not especially showy) and fall the wonderful well-branched structure and fascinating silver buds are revealed. These buds persist throughout the winter. Only one year, after a particularly mild winter, did the flowers open. They were yellow, downward facing and similar in appearance to a lantana. I thought that the fragrance would be trapped by the surrounding walls, but the fragrance was not detectable unless I stuck my nose right in a flower. However, the buds are so lovely and unique that I don't really need the flowers. view less
I was amazed that this plant that came to me in a 3.5" pot was over a foot and a half tall, and not root bound at all! In excellent shape. It already had a bloom starting on it, ...view moreand it did bloom this april. It has grown over a foot tall this summer, and branched off 9 times. I was just about to write, to ask what I should do to help it branch out, when it started to do this all of its own accord. The fragrance of the one flower was beautiful, in between narcissus and jasmine. When it has more flowers in the future, the fragrance will be a show stopper. I am so happy to have this beautiful plant, and it is something I don't see in any other gardens. view less
Q: After I transplanted this plant from a pot to the ground, it has done well.I was excited to see 3 flower buds on it this Winter. However, they all have fallen off before opening. Any ideas what is wrong? It planted in semi-shade as a foundation plant here in Durham. It has been a...view more very wet winter...view less
A: Edgeworthia typically grow in a semi-shaded location. We have had a particularly wet winter and if the area it is planted does not drain well, it very well could be too much water.
Q: Hi, we are in Alexandria Virginia with arell clay soil. I have been amending many areas for 20+ years, but the soil can still be slow draining. Does the Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Snow Cream' prefer slightly wet to moist soil or drier areas? Thanks so much-planning for my fall planting...view more and cannot wait to place another order. The spring order has been very happy in the gardens! Thanks so much.
Cynthiaview less
A: Edgeworthia likes moist, well drained soils. If your soil is slow draining, you may want to site the Edgeworthia that is lightly shaded where there is ample summer moisture, but does not stay wet.
A: Greetings, Teresa. Edgeworthia is great to plant in spring. For zone 8a, we recommend getting it into the ground around mid March at the earliest. Thank you and happy gardening!
A: Hi Barbara,
Edgeworthia grow best in a slightly acid to neutral soil ranging from 5.5 to 7.5 on the pH scale. Most average garden soils fall between a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
