Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono'

Also Known As

Edgeworthia 'Akebono'
Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Red Dragon'
Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Rubra'
Paper Bush
PAPERBUSH
Red Paper Bush

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 5'-6'
W: 5'-6'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono' plant details

Red-orange flowers emerge from silky white tassels of buds light up the winter garden. A standout among the typically muted color palette of winter/early spring flowers. More than just a pretty flower, the small vase-shaped woody shrub has pleasantly meandering smooth branches and long narrow leaves that emerge once the flower show has concluded.

Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono' is a slow-growing broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter orange and red flowers emerge. Attracts bees and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: thelypteridaceae, thymelaeaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 5 FT - 6 FT - wide, 5 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and red blooms in spring and winter
Uses: fragrant, winter interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Akebono'

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: humidity
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Crayon orange-red fragrant flowers decorate the yet bare-stems of this slower-growing, smaller (to 5-6') paper-making shrub in spring; a rare and special Japanese selection. PSh/M

By: Forestfarm

Elegant, deciduous shrub with an upright, rounded form 3-5’, smooth branches have an open almost zig zag habit, very ZEN. Clusters of white buds in late winter open to red orange flowers, very showy! Said to be lightly fragrant but my nose cannot detect it. Site in a protected spot in good soil, average moisture and morning sun (Daphne conditions).

By: Secret Garden Growers

A profusion of rose-pink flowers from spring to fall on a compact mound of narrow, variegated foliage that is every bit as charming as the flowers, with its green leaves, white margins, and reddish pink tones and mottling throughout. Excellent heat and drought tolerance. Great for rock gardens, borders, and containers.

By: Noname Nursery

The red (tomato soup) edgeworthia is a smaller 3' grower. Instead of the typical E. papyrifera yellow flowers, E. Akebano has red flowers.

By: Gossler Farms

Erect and thick, yet pliable, the smooth silver-laced naked branches congregate in a noteworthy open fashion and entertain prominent silky white buttonlike buds at their tips. Exploding from unique tightset clusters, a bevy of small waxy tubular blooms flaunt luscious tangerine orange shades and waft a pleasant fresh fragrance. Dark green, 4 in. long deciduous leaves populate branch apexes. Native to Asia where the bark is prized for crafting high-class paper, 'Akebono's slow growing rounded form favors a shady, somewhat moist protected locale and lends an exotic panache to broad leafed shrubs such as Oakleaf Hydrangeas or Physocarpus 'Coppertina' in any garden.

By: Digging Dog Nursery

Fragrant orange flowers on bare stems, late winter / spring, deciduous, protect from wind, Zones 7-9

By: Lael's Moon Garden

Intriguing Asian deciduous daphne relative that makes a rounded 5' shrub. The true glory of this plant come to the fore in early spring as golfball sized clusters of small deep orange flowers appear at the ends of the naked branches. We're all for anything that blooms early!

By: Far Reaches Farm

A late winter treat of coveted warm orange flower clusters with a fresh fragrance. Sparsely branched deciduous shrub 5' x 5'

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Great fall/winter patterns; silvery thick branching and flower bud clusters. Opening a warm orange coloration with a sweet fragrance, mid winter to early spring. Well drained soil. Full sun to partial sun.

By: Briggs Plant Propagators

Another amazing daphne relative, this rarer form of the paper bush shrub has Crayon® orange flowers rather than yellow. Not quite as scented as the species. Deciduous, slow-growing shrub, to 5-6' tall, with winter blooms on handsome, bare stems. Sun to part shade with plentiful summer water. Frost hardy in upper USDA zone 7.