Japanese Hardy Orange (Poncirus trifoliata)
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 flowering-plants, 1-2 inches wide, erupt, and its trifoliate leaves come on, growing into a rich glossy backdrop for the dull, fuzzy, little green fruit-plants that form. By late summer or autumn the 1-2 inch wide fruit-plants 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.
On older plants the leaves will fall off in winter, young plants keep their foliage.
Said to be hardy to zone 5, we would give it a save for zone 6-10.
Shipping to lower 48 states only!