Edgeworthia chrysantha

Edgeworthia chrysantha, also known as the Chinese paperbush, provides superb winter interest and fragrance. This shrub holds its white flower buds throughout the late fall and early winter like ornaments on its branches. Once the temperatures rise on warm winter days the buds will open to golden yellow clusters of flowers. The individual florets are tiny, but a few dozen make up a 1-1/2 to 2-inch cluster blooms. Like Daphnes, you can smell Edgeworthia long before you can see it.

Edgeworthia thrives in partial shade and appreciates well-enriched, moist soil. In spring, after the blooms pass, it sports lovely 5 to 6 inch long bluish foliage with silvery undertones that are both eye-catching and soothing. In autumn the foliage turns shades of yellow.