Hardy Orange is a stunning shrub, not used much in landscapes. The Hardy Orange is also called Hardy Citrus, Bitter Orange, Bitter Lemon or Trifoliate Orange.

It is a spiny deciduous species from China and Korea. On a practical note, it is cold-hardy, unlike Citrus in general.

In May or June pretty, white flowers, 1-2 inches wide, erupt, and its trifoliate leaves come on, growing into a rich glossy backdrop for the dull, fuzzy, little green fruits that form.

By late summer or autumn the 1-2 inch wide fruit turns to a sort of half-hearted orange color and is amazingly fragrant and alluring.

Plant in rich, moist, yet well-drained sandy loam, with ample sunlight and heat. We have it in a rather poor condition, heavy clay, with no irrigation and it also does very well.

Said to be hardy to zone 5, we would give it a save for zone 6-10.

Here are a few pictures of this plant.