Anyone know much about Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Grandiflora'?

Anna33

Hi, I've seen a really beautiful specimen of this plant at a nursery, and was very tempted to buy it, but wanted to find out a bit more from actual people rather than the internet...

Firstly, does it attract any wildlife, eg if there are early bees out on a sunny day?

Secondly, different websites have different info (surprise, surprise!), so... does it need full sun, or will it flourish in part shade (a border that gets limited sun in winter, but more sun in summer)? Will it do well in a clay soil? And will it come through a typical UK winter in the South (I'm in the heart of Sussex near the South Downs)?

Thank you!

Silver surfer

See my avatar!
I love this shrub. Sadly too colds to grow it up here successfully.
 We tried keeping it inside a conservatory in a huge pot but it was not happy.
It grows well at RHS Wisley against a wall.

We used to grow this stunning shrub in South Wales.
We grew it in a very sheltered spot, semi shade in acid woodland type soil.
The flowers form in the autumn at the end of the branches and sit all through the winter before opening before the leaves.The flowers hang down.
Cannot say I ever noticed insects/bees on it.
Branches are so supple you could tie them in a knot.
I have seen a book printed on paper made from the bark.
At one time it was used to make high quality bank notes.

More pics on flickr
https://www.flickr.com/search/[email protected]&sort=date-taken-desc&text=edgeworthia chrysantha&view_all=1

Obelixx

Two years ago I attended a garden club meeting with a talk on plants with winter interest given by a chap responsible for a big public park in Nantes.   This plant featured on his list so, having a large new, to us, plot to fill and plant up I made a note.

After researching it on local nursery websites I decided against because, other than the perfumed flowers in late winter, early spring, it's really quite dull the rest of the year.   It needs plenty of sunshine and a well-drained acidic soil.

Butterfly66

We have one. It’s in a west facing bed but due to the house it’s not a sunny bed except in summer. I quite like the structure and foliage but a bit underwhelmed by the flowers so far - only a few and no obvious scent. Having said that it’s quite a young plant and I have seen a mature one which looked lovely, like @Silver surfer photo for number of flowers and they smelt divine. 

fidgetbones

The ones at kew , when in flower are divine. Later on in the year they are just green shrubs with leaves on, forming part of the backdrop.  i bought 2 sorts last year. So far they are just sticks.

Silver surfer

fidgetbones said:

The ones at kew , when in flower are divine. Later on in the year they are just green shrubs with leaves on, forming part of the backdrop.  i bought 2 sorts last year. So far they are just sticks.

If no flowers  buds there by now you will need to be patient and wait another year...you should get a flower on the end of every twig.
I have a theory that they need heat to ripen the wood to get lots of flowers.
Suspect UK summers are not hot enough.
Wisley one was  protected against a wall, so got baked in summer...see pic below taken 18th Feb 2015.

It forms 3 branches at a time as it grows.

There is one with red flowers..Red Dragon. I prefer the golden  flowers. see link.
https://www.google.com/search?q=edgeworthia+chrysantha+red+dragon&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiWvZDX-p3vAhXgDmMBHfkxA_EQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=edgeworthia+chrysantha+red+dragon&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQARgAMgIIADICCAAyBAgAEB4yBAgAEBg6BAgAEEM6BggAEAgQHlClQ1iaYmC2bWgAcAB4AIABXogBmQeSAQIxMZgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=8ahEYNaAM-CdjLsP-eOMiA8&bih=578&biw=1280&rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785

Obelixx

The spot I had in mind is a gravelled area behind the house and in full sun nearly all year so have been thinking a bout a dry bed.  Unfortunately, the "soil" there not suitable for this plant and they're expensive so I need to be sure it'll have a chance to thrive.  Been looking at this one - https://www.pepiniere-vegetal85.fr/arbustes/173-EDGEWORTHIA-chrysantha-Akebono.html 

Silver surfer

Just read....
"Edgeworthia chrysantha has recently been renamed Edgeworthia tomentosa."
Haven't had a chance to check this if official.
Yet another blinking name change. Grrrr!


http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:831625-1

Quote from above link...

"Cultivation

Edgeworthia chrysantha enjoys moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered, partially shaded position. It can also be grown to good effect against a west- or south-facing wall (as at the Savill Garden, Windsor Great Park, Berkshire) or in a cool greenhouse to produce a delightful fragrance when flowering. It grows best in acid soils, although it will tolerate near-neutral conditions."

Silver surfer

Obelixx said:

The spot I had in mind is a gravelled area behind the house and in full sun nearly all year so have been thinking a bout a dry bed.  Unfortunately, the "soil" there not suitable for this plant and they're expensive so I need to be sure it'll have a chance to thrive.  Been looking at this one - https://www.pepiniere-vegetal85.fr/arbustes/173-EDGEWORTHIA-chrysantha-Akebono.html 

Yes they are expensive.
Needs a lot of thought. You need the right conditions for it to flourish.

Edgeworthia chrysantha Red Dragon..... is official name ....according to RHS.
Edgewothia chrysantha Akebona.......... is just a synonym .
 https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/169196/Edgeworthia-chrysantha-Red-Dragon/Details