Place your Valentines Gift Order Before Noon On The 13 February To Ensure Delivery Before Valentines Day.

Japanese Bitter Orange

Japanese Bitter Orange

Poncirus trifoliata

This Product is Available Now.

Supplied as a pot grown plant grown in a 7cm square pot and standing 6"- 8" tall.

Sometimes known as the Trifoliate Orange this was, until recently was botanically known as Citrus trifoliata - yet is in fact not a Citrus! Adding more confusion is the fact that is often used as the rootstock for grafting hybrid Citrus varieties on to.

Putting all this confusion to one side, this non Citrus Citrus is very much underrated and perfect for growing in the garden throughout the year. It is utterly Winter hardy, withstanding temperatures to as low as -20°C.

Grow as a single specimen bush or plant 2ft apart and grow as a viciously defensive hedge as the plants are covered in large spiteful thorns.

Whichever way you choose to grow your reward will be small (1½" diameter) fruits; though too bitter for most people to eat raw, these are perfect for marmalades and preserves. In effect this is the Crab Apple of the Citrus world - but of course it isn't a Citrus!

Prefers a full sun position but will tolerate partial shade.
A well drained, just acidic soil is ideal though a more limey soil will be fine.
Will reach a height of around 4ft - 5ft after ten years with a spread of around 4ft. Ultimately these can grow to around 12ft tall.

Supplied as a pot grown plant grown in a 7cm square pot and standing 6"- 8" tall.

Back to Tender & Exotic Fruits