
How do you prune a paper bush?
- Divide a mature paper bush in mid to late winter to produce a new paper bush plant; dig up the root ball and separate at...
- Select a planting location that receives full sun or partial shade and that has fertile, well-drained soil.
How do you propagate paper bush?
Paper bush spreads by rhizomes, but isn't invasive, and generally forms a dense, slowly expanding clump of long, pliable stems. Cuttings root easily in moist soil. Depending on the selection, paper bush grows 5 to 8 feet tall and wide.
How do I prune a bottlebrush?
Pruning bottlebrush, or most any shrub, diverts energy to flowers that are forming. If this is your goal when pruning bottlebrush, follow these simple tips: Prune bottlebrush when flowers fade. This is usually a safe time for pruning shrubs to guarantee that future blooms aren’t damaged. This shrub can be pruned...
How do you care for a paperbush Bush?
Paperbush thrives in moist, acidic soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. Water regularly during summer and fall to ensure the soil remains consistently moist. Avoid moving the bush once it is planted, as it is touchy until well established. During the first winter, it is advisable to provide protection from the cold.
How do you prune a shrub that is too dense?
DON’T let shrubs get too dense. Shrubs that get abundant light and air circulation are healthier than shrubs with compact centers. To thin a dense shrub, prune up to one-third of its side branches where they connect to the main stem. If it’s a multi-stem shrub, prune out the branches at ground level.

When should a paper bush be pruned?
Best to prune just after flowering as leaves emerge, as pruning later in the season removes developing flower buds for the following year. Paperbush is a wonderful accent or companion plant in groups, and can also be used as an individual, eye-catching specimen. The paperbush is commercially available.
How do you care for edgeworthia?
They also grow best in a very shady location. But paperbush also does okay in full sun as long as it gets generous irrigation. This is not a drought-tolerant plant. Regular irrigation is an important part of paperbush plant care.
How big does edgeworthia get?
Edgeworthia chrysantha, commonly called paperbush or edgeworthia, is a deciduous suckering shrub that typically grows to 4-6' tall and as wide.
How fast does a paper bush grow?
Moderate growing, 6 to 10 ft. tall and wide in ten years. A much sought after collector's plant for years, this exquisitely fragrant shrub offers tremendous architectural value with its multi-stemmed habit and light, cinnamon colored stems. Rounded form presents an elegant silhouette even when branches are bare.
Does edgeworthia need full sun?
chrysantha should be grown in full sun. Our curator, Andrew Bunting, also suggests planting edgeworthia close to entryways or pathways, so that its spring fragrance can be best appreciated!
Is edgeworthia invasive?
Long, narrow, leathery, blue-green leaves up to 10 inches long give the shrub a tropical look. There is no fall color. Paper bush spreads by rhizomes, but isn't invasive, and generally forms a dense, slowly expanding clump of long, pliable stems.
Does the paper plant flower?
Edgeworthia chrysantha, also known as the paperbush plant, provides superb winter interest and fragrance. This well-branched shrub begins blooming in December, when it's nothing but a bare silhouette in the garden, and continues through the winter.
Can edgeworthia grow in shade?
Most sources say that edgeworthia grows in light to partial shade and requires moist, fertile, well-drained organic soil with supplemental water in summer.
Is edgeworthia an evergreen?
Edgeworthia (Paperbush) are deciduous or evergreen shrubs boasting unique flowers held in golf-ball sized clusters that hang like little bouquets on the branches. Blooming in late winter to early spring, the blossoms exude a sweet fragrance similar to Daphne, and remain open over a long period, at least 4-6 weeks.
How do you prune a Chinese paper plant?
The nice thing about paperbush is that the lateral buds are very noticeable on the stem. After the plant finishes flowering, cut several of the stems back to near ground level, making your pruning cut at a 45 degree angle just above an outward growing bud.
What soil does edgeworthia like?
loamEdgeworthia are best planted in moist, well-drained humus rich and loam based soil within an acidic, alkaline or neutral PH balance.
How do you care for a paperbush?
Paperbush thrives in moist, acidic soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. Water regularly during summer and fall to ensure the soil remains consistently moist. Avoid moving the bush once it is planted, as it is touchy until well established.
How long does a paper bush flower?
The sweet fragrance reminds you that paper bush is kin to daphne (but it's much easier to grow). Flowering can last 4 to 6 weeks.
Where did paper bush get its name?
Native to China, paper bush ( Edgeworthia chrysantha) gets its name from its bark, which is used in Asia to make high-quality paper. The first place I ever saw it was many years ago at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
When does paper bush bloom?
Although it's an attractive plant throughout the year, paper bush really starts to shine in late fall. Drooping, rounded flower buds covered with silky, silvery hairs appear on top of naked stems. When sunlight hits the buds, paper bush looks like it's blooming already. The flower buds grow in size and prominence all winter.
How big does a paper bush get?
Cuttings root easily in moist soil. Depending on the selection, paper bush grows 5 to 8 feet tall and wide. Growth is rapid.
What is the color of paper bush leaves?
Long, narrow, leathery, blue-green leaves up to 10 inches long give the shrub a tropical look. There is no fall color. Paper bush spreads by rhizomes, but isn't invasive, and generally forms a dense, slowly expanding clump of long, pliable stems. Cuttings root easily in moist soil. Depending on the selection, paper bush grows 5 to 8 feet tall and wide. Growth is rapid.
What is the easiest shrub to force into early bloom?
Plant connoisseurs knew about paper bush, but it didn't grab much attention until nurserymen planting displays for winter garden shows discovered that it was just about the easiest shrub to force into early bloom indoors.
What is paper bush used for?
It is also used for a variety of products from books to wallpaper to toys. Paper bush is also used in folk medicine remedies from indoor medicinal herb gardens. The bark and roots are said to act as an anti-inflammatory and have analgesic properties as well. Sliced root and flower buds are used to treat eye diseases.
When do paperbush flowers bloom?
Paperbush is often used as a winter focal plant, due to the flowers that blossom beginning in February. They are popular for woodland gardens, border plantings or even mass plantings. They may also be planted in containers for patios and locations where the fragrance of the blossoms can be enjoyed.
When do sage leaves drop?
In mid-December the leaves drop without changing color, revealing large silvery-white flower buds. The flower buds open to display clusters of fragrant tubular blossoms from February through early April. The flowers are pale to deep yellow and have a sweet fragrance that has been described as clove-like.
What is the Japanese name for the paper bush?
Common names for this species include Chinese paper bush, oriental paper bush, yellow Daphne, or simply paper bush. The Japanese refer to it as mitsumata bush, a reference to the interesting triple branching pattern seen in this species.
Can paperbush be planted in full sun?
Paperbush does well in partial shade to full sun, but for optimal flowering, more sun is recommended. Because the flowers are susceptible to frost damage, a south or west-facing wall is an ideal planting location.
Do paperbush trees need pruning?
Paperbush requires little to no pruning. The bush will produce suckers, which should be divided out from the soil. If pruning is required to maintain the desired size and shape, it should be done after blooming is completed.
How do I thin a shrub?
To thin a dense shrub, prune up to one-third of its side branches where they connect to the main stem. If it’s a multi-stem shrub, prune out the branches at ground level. By opening up the center of the shrub, you’ll ensure that it receives adequate air and light.
What is the role of shrubs in landscaping?
Photo: fotosearch.com. Shrubs play a vital role in your landscape, serving as decorative borders, living fences, and foundation plantings that add distinction and personality to your property. But if your privet hedge is suddenly sprawling all over your sidewalk, it may be time to get out the pruning shears.
Can you cut the top of a shrub?
Cutting off the top of a shrub is a radical step, and it doesn’t work. By shearing off the top to obtain a cube look, you’ll stimulate leggy vertical growth, which leads to that unsightly “witches’ broom” effect. Unless you’re in the topiary business, you’re better off individually cutting back too-tall branches.
What is the purpose of pruning bottlebrush?
Pruning bottlebrush will include removal of suckers growing from the roots as they appear. Also remove forking or crossing branches. Pruning bottlebrush, or most any shrub, diverts energy to flowers that are forming. If this is your goal when pruning bottlebrush, follow these simple tips: Prune bottlebrush when flowers fade.
What happens if you prune a bottlebrush too long?
If you continue pruning bottlebrush too long into the season, you can instigate winter damage and even eliminate blooms for the next year. We’ll answer the questions of when to prune bottlebrush and just how far can you prune a bottlebrush shrub.

Latin Name
Common Names
Preferred USDA Hardiness Zones
Size and Shape
Exposure
Foliage/Flowers/Fruit
Design Tips
Growing Tips
Maintenance and Pruning
- Paperbush requires little to no pruning. The bush will produce suckers, which should be divided out from the soil. If pruning is required to maintain the desired size and shape, it should be done after blooming is completed.
Pests and Diseases