Poncirus trifoliata (Japanese Bitter Orange)

A bit of a botanical curiosity but when clipped nicely and in flower or in fruit, a fine sight. Very tough, deciduous (unlike all other citrus) and with the most extraordinarily large and brutal spines which make for a truly impenetrable hedge if required.

The flowers are fragrant (not quite as fragrant as true citrus admittedly) and citrus-like and the fruits are orange and large tangerine sized and (we are assured) make good marmalade - in the hands of skilled marmalade makers.

Slow growing to 8ft after 10 years and we grow them as hedging plants or as specimen trees. In the Mediterranean these are grown in huge numbers from seed as the roots are grafted onto Lemon and Orange trees for commercial use - also creating plants more frost hardy than plants grown from cuttings.

Any reasonably well drained soil in sun or partial shade. In sun the plant will be more compact and probably flower and fruit with greater profusion but in light shade, the leaves will be greener. As with all citrus, the leaves can be slightly bleached by strong sunlight.

Propagated by seed.