Felder Rushing
Family
Rutaceae
Botanical Name
PONCIRUS trifoliata 'Flying Dragon'
Plant Common Name
Contorted Hardy Orange, Flying Dragon Hardy Orange
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Densely filled with twisted branches covered in sharp spines and three-lobed leaves, the Flying Dragon hardy orange also bears lemon-flavored, small golden fruits that persist into winter. A large deciduous shrub that is rounded, irregular and architecturally interesting, it is native to northern China and Korea. The fruits are loaded with seeds and will self-sow in landscapes, and with a viciously spined canopy, makes it difficult and unpleasant to remove. It is considered an invasive woodland intruder in some parts of the eastern United States.
The leaves are made up of three oval leaflets, first emerging glossy green and maturing to a medium matte green. The leaves occur all along the young green branches that are lined with sharp spines. In late spring or early summer, cup-shaped white blossoms can be found on branch ends. They are pleasantly fragrant and often recur again in early autumn. The green golf ball-sized fruits ripen to yellow-gold by autumn and persist into the winter. Fall foliage is yellow, and once the foliage drops, the lingering fruits look pretty against the contorted, spined olive-green branches across the winter months.
Grow 'Flying Dragon' in full sun to considerable shade in any fertile well-draining soil. It is very drought tolerant once established, but in the coldest reaches of its hardiness range, it should be protected from bitter drying winter winds. Use it as an impenetrable hedgerow or as a mixed border accent. Position the plant away from walkways or areas where people would not unknowingly walk into the spined branches. The fruits are edible but very acidic and seedy. They are usually made into marmalade and the zest can flavor culinary dishes. The disease-resistant and hardy roots of 'Flying Dragon' are also used as grafted rootstock for dwarf citrus tree cultivars.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 3
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 9
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Sunset Zone
2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m
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Width
12'-15' / 3.7m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
China, Korea
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Twisted/Contorted
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Yellow
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
