Citrus aurantium 'Gou Tou'

A Southern-hardy citrus with the soul of the tropics and the bite of bright winter sunshine.

Among the more intriguing fruits in the Woodlanders citrus collection, ‘Gou Tou’ Sour Orange stands apart—not merely for its rarity, but for its remarkable hardiness, generous fruiting, and surprisingly pleasant flavor. Believed to be widely cultivated in Southeast Asia, Citrus aurantium ‘Gou Tou’ carries the form of a traditional bitter orange, but with a taste that leans toward grapefruit, making it one of the most palatable sour oranges available to gardeners outside the subtropics.

The fruit resembles a large, slightly rough-skinned orange, with pale orange, juicy flesh that is sour, complex, and citrus-sweet—delightfully edible out of hand for those who enjoy a bold citrus bite, and superb for marmalade, sauces, marinades, or culinary exploration. Unlike most sour oranges, which are relegated to the preserving pot, ‘Gou Tou’ is both flavorful and refreshing, a rare combination.

Our plants are propagated from a robust specimen growing at Aquinas High School in Augusta, Georgia, where it has proven cold-hardy and heavy-bearing, thanks to the good care and keen eye of plantsman Joe Levert, a longtime friend of Woodlanders. Its success in the Southeastern U.S. makes it a unique addition to gardens seeking cold-tolerant citrus with old-world character.

Origin: Southeast Asia; propagated from a hardy specimen in Augusta, Georgia
Foliage: Evergreen, glossy, aromatic
Fruit: Large, orange-colored; sour, juicy, similar to grapefruit in flavor
Bloom Time: Spring; fragrant white citrus blossoms
Hardiness Zones: 8b–10 (hardy to mid-upper teens °F once established)
Notable Traits: Edible sour orange, hardy citrus, fragrant flowers, culinary use
Garden Uses: Edible landscaping, container growing, winter interest, Southern fruit gardens
Shipping Restriction: Cannot be shipped to AZ, CA, TX, LA, or FL due to citrus regulations