Blooming now in my garden; Edgeworthia chrysantha, a member of the Daphne family is unbeatable for winter bloom & fragrance. This deciduous shrub can get up to 6' wide in our Northwest gardens. While it is typically grown for its magnificent, soft yellow flowers which are borne on bare branch in February/March, I find the somewhat bold, blue-green foliage of the plant attractive in the off-season. Grow this plant with your other woodland treasures in part shade with well-draining, humus-rich soil.
A full view of the shrub.
This photo was taken last year at this time at the Bishop's Close at Elk Rock. A wonderful garden to visit any time of year, but I particularly enjoy my late winter visits. In addition to the Edgeworthia in bloom you will find masses of hellebores in bloom; sweeps of winter aconites & galanthus beneath winter blooming woodland shrubs such as Corylopsis; naturalized crocus blooming in an expanse of lawn under majestic oaks … to name just a few of the treasures of this garden in winter.
