Now that the leaves have all fallen, the twists and turns are fully visible. Here’s what Gossler Farms has to say about it on the Plant Lust site:
The hardy citrus is a wickedly thorned plant. The thorns are 2″ long and are unusual all year. P. trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’ is contorted all over- leaves, thorns and stems. We have seen 5′-6′ irregular shrubs and they are always show stoppers. P. trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’ is hardy to -20 °F so will be interesting from New York to California.
The display specimen at the HPSO booth was more of a full-grown tree and the thorns were the full 2″ and curved like talons. Mine has a few noticeable thorns, but none quite that impressive. I still have high hopes.
When fully leafed out, closer inspection is needed to appreciate its distinctive traits. Let’s look at it through the seasons:
All leading up to the bare beauty that presides over winter’s garden. I failed to chronicle its blooming season, but I think you can see why it is a favorite in any of its costumes. Check out Danger Garden for more favorites of the week.
What a beautiful specimen you have! Mine doesn’t seem to want to grow up but seems to enjoy scrambling around on the ground although it produced it’s first three fruits this year and it has nice spikes.
Yours is beautiful! You’ve inspired me to move mine into a more prominent position in my garden. 🙂
I love yours, Ricki. Several years ago i gave mine away to my friend Carol. She loves it so it would be wrong to ask for it back, wouldn’t it? 🙂
How old is your beautiful specimen, Ricki? it looks like it’s been growing a long time and gives me hope for my little guy!
I can certainly see why it’s a favorite! I did a little sleuthing to find out if it’s edible and found out it is, but better in marmalades than fresh. A most interesting plant.
Wow Ricki yours is gorgeous and so big. And with fruit too, the complete package. Mine is still just a tiny guy – and actually you’ve got me wondering if it needs to move a bit further from the steps to the patio.
Peter~The scrambling sounds nice.
Laura~Pride of place works for this.
Grace~Yes, it would, but they are much easier to find in the trade these days. It was considered rare when I purchased mine.
Jane~Hope is in order. Mine has been place for almost 10 years.
Beth~Thanks for the sleuthing. I always considered it inedible. Marmalade next year!
Loree~Give it time. Mine took several years to produce fruit.
Nice to have fruit to look forward to – even if it takes a few years… Mine is still in its pot, so I think I’ll have to move it indoors until the cold spell is over for this time. I do hope it survives – it is such a cool plant!
I was going to ask about whether or not the fruit is edible, but I have my answer! I think I like it naked the best, closely followed by Autumn colour!
Another plant that I absolutely adore. Count me as another one who likes my Flying Dragon naked.
The stems on this plant are so cool. Yours looks wonderful with the fruit. I need to find a place for this one which I know grows well in my climate too.
I love the form of this! I’ve not seen the contorted variety but I have seen the ‘normal’ variety here. What are the fruit like? Could you make marmelade from them?
Anna K~’Hardy Orange’ is one of its nicknames, and it has sailed through all kinds of bad weather. The cold that’s coming is predicted to be brutal, though, so I guess we should be careful.
Amy C~I especially like the fruit: it almost glows.
Sarah~That is its most distinctive profile, for sure.
Shirley~This is one we can both grow. I think it would look great in your garden.
Christina~Stay tuned: I will be experimenting with marmalade next year, thanks to comments left here.
A new one (again) on me. I think if this is suitable for my garden – it’s going straight to the top of the list!
Angie~I love it when I can introduce something new to someone.
Lovely sculptural shape ! A new one on me ! Just as lovely in winter as it is in summer Ricki !
I love it. Lovely fruit and such an interesting shape for winter. Is it hardy?
Chloris
Jane S~Rare when I found it, but more common now.
Chloris~To -20 degrees. Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment. Now I am off to check your blog.