Flying Dragon Hardy Orange Tree – 7 Gallon Pot (5-6′) (COPY)

Always an attention-getter with guests who visit our nursery and gardens at any time of year, the Flying Dragon Hardy Orange is sure to be a conversation piece in any garden. Extremely cold hardy to -20 degrees F, this dwarf selection is especially attractive during the winter months when its deep green contorted stems that twist in every direction, huge hook-like thorns, and golf ball sized round yellow fruits are most visible. In early spring, loads of beautiful, citrus-scented white flowers take the stage, contrasting beautifully with the dark stems. Can be grown in garden beds and is especially dramatic in containers. In the ground, Flying Dragon might reach 10 to 12 feet tall over time…a very long time…but in containers is rarely seen over 3 to 4 feet.

Are the fruits of the Flying Dragon Hardy Orange edible? Yes, but this isn’t one you eat fresh picked. Unlike oranges, the 2″ diameter fruit contains an abundance of seeds and very little pulp, and the taste is very sour. That said, the rind is often candied and the pulp made into marmalade. In Germany, the juice of this fruit is stored for a two-week period and then made into syrup used for flavoring.

The Flying Dragon Hardy Orange can be grown in the ground or in pots. In the ground, if left to grow naturally, it can reach a height of 10 to 12 feet over a very long period of time but is rarely seen over 5 to 6 feet tall. In pots, it might reach 3 to 4 feet in height. Wherever you decide to plant this wicked looking beauty, though the species is often used as an impenetrable hedge, we think it is best used as a specimen in the landscape.

The Flying Dragon Hardy Orange is easy to grow in most any average moist but well-drained soil however is quite drought tolerant when established. It prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. Doesn’t require pruning however responds well to it after flowering in spring.