Spring scents are filling the air at Fearrington, including the enchanting fragrance of Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha). Its sweetly floral, lightly spicy perfume leads visitors toward the Garden Terrace, where three specimens adorn a woodland border.
An early bloomer, Paperbush flowers before leafing out, creating an attractive contrast of color and texture. At the ends of smooth branches hang clusters of two to three dozen (or more!) buds, each covered in velvety silver-white down. Flowers open in rich gold, a bold highlight against speckled beige and warm taupe bark.
Close observers will also note an unusual trait of the shrub's structure. Paperbush exhibits a rare three-forked, or trichotomous, branching pattern, found in only a few species of the plant world. The effect adds a striking geometric feature to the garden.
From its spring bloom to its summer habit as a soft mound of slender blue-green leaves, Paperbush is wonderful as a stand-alone specimen or as part of a large border in part-shade gardens. Though slow to establish, Fearrington’s mature shrubs require little special care. During hot, dry spells in summer, leaves may droop, but recover quickly with supplemental water. They grow and bloom reliably with a layer of natural leaf litter composting into the soil, and a once-yearly boost of organic fertilizer.
While well-known in their native habitat of China and the Himalayas, Paperbush shrubs are still somewhat rare in local gardens. Their distinction at Fearrington is evident, though, with a mesmerizing fragrance inviting visitors to linger on the Terrace and enjoy a warm spring day.
Rachael, Fearrington Gardener
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