EDGEWORTHIA. Himalaya, China. Shrubby Daphne allies with a variety of unusual and endearing features. They have relatively few, thick trunks and branches, covered with papery bark which, in one species (E. papyrifera) is actually used in the manufacture of art papers. Clustered mostly near the ends of the branches are large narrow-oval to lance-shaped leaves. Tight, nodding bud clusters develop at the mature shoot tips in fall, the buds expanding in succession into silky, tubular flowers which open just at the tips. The flowers are delightfully fragrant, though of a different blend than the daphnes. These are forest plants. Though they thrive in full sun near the coast, they should have both afternoon shade and protection from hot, dry winds inland. They require well drained, acid soil and constant moisture, though they do not actually use large quantities of water. Hardy to around 10^oF.

chrysantha. This is the species most often grown. It is a stout plant, with several widely branched trunks from the base, growing 3-6’ high. The leaves are up to 6" long and rather narrow. They are colored deep green above, grey-green below. The flowers have intriguing silvery hairs along the tubes. The “face” is typically bright yellow. ‘Gold Rush’ (COPF) is a beautiful selection with exceptionally long, tropical-looking leaves and the typical gold-faced flowers. ‘Rubra’ is even more unusual with its smaller, darker leaves and bright orange red tips on the flowers. Both were received from Piroche Plants in British Columbia.