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ShrubsTreesSynonym

Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'

Japanese bitter orange 'Flying Dragon'

A deciduous shrub reaching around 3m, with trifoliate green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. It is fast-growing and has long stout thorns - making it a suitable hedge plant. Plentiful fragrant white flowers open in spring before the leaves and develop into 5cm lemon-like fruits which remain on the plant after the leaves have fallen. The tangled green stems with curved thorns and yellow fruit look very ornamental in winter

Synonyms

Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate from seed or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Prunng group 1 or can be clipped to shape

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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