Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Snow Cream'

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.