Paper Bush
Edgeworthia chrysantha
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Paper bush, Edgeworthia chrysantha, spends the growing season as a quiet, blue-green shrub and saves the show for the dead of winter. In late winter and earliest spring, while the branches are still bare, the shrub hangs rounded, downward-facing clusters of small tubular flowers from the tips of every stem, silvery-furred buds opening to warm yellow throats that carry a sweet, daphne-like fragrance across cold air. A cousin of Daphne and the native leatherwood Dirca in the family Thymelaeaceae, paper bush shares the tribe's supple, hard-to-snap branches and honeyed scent.
The common name is earned. In Japan, where the shrub has been grown for centuries under the name mitsumata, the long, fine fibers of the inner bark are one of the three traditional sources of washi paper, alongside kozo and gampi, and were long used for the country's banknotes, prized as among the hardest currency in the world to counterfeit. In Chinese folk medicine the plant has a second life: the flowers, bark, and roots have been used for their anti-inflammatory and pain-easing properties, and the flower buds in particular served as a traditional remedy for ailments of the eyes.
In the garden paper bush earns a spot near a door or path where the winter fragrance and the odd, architectural branching can be met up close. The plant builds a rounded, softly tropical-looking mound five to six feet tall and about as wide, with bold blue-green leaves through summer and a distinctive forking, three-into-three branch pattern that shows beautifully once the leaves drop. Give the shrub rich, moist, well-drained woodland soil and dappled shade, and pair the plant with hellebores, snowdrops, and early species crocus for a winter picture that smells as good as it looks.
Paper bush asks for little beyond shelter and a kind soil. Hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, the shrub prefers protection from harsh afternoon sun and drying wind, resents soggy ground, and rewards a yearly mulch with steady health and heavier bloom. Slow to make a large plant but worth every season of waiting, Edgeworthia chrysantha is one of the great winter luxuries of the mild-climate garden.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 5–6 Feet · Spread 4–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Deciduous
Rounded, nodding clusters of small tubular flowers, silvery outside and yellow within, sweetly fragrant on bare stems in late winter to early spring
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Plants in the family Thymelaeaceae contain irritant diterpenes; sap and bark can irritate skin and mucous membranes
- Traditional Chinese folk use only, not validated by modern clinical trials
- Recorded for historical and educational reference, not medical advice
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.