Flying Dragon Bonsai

Revered and respected by southern gardeners and bonsai hobbyists.

Flying dragon bonsai. Young branches are a sturdy green tangle sprouting sharp 2 inch long spines. Poncirus trifoliata flying dragon. Despite its rarity and exotic looks the hardy orange does well in containers even pruned in bonsai fashion. It is related to the true citrus family or rutaceae and is a small multi branching deciduous tree growing 15 20 feet in height.

The fall ripening bright orange fruit are small and seedy but hold on through winter giving the trees an interesting look. Its twisted stems are contorted in different directions with curved claw like thorns giving the illusion of dragons in flight. The fruits are green ripening to yellow and 3 4 cm 1 2 1 6 in in diameter resembling a small orange but with a finely downy surface. The flying dragon orange tree is considered one of the most cold hardy of the citrus family surviving sub freezing weather.

Plus the flying dragon is simple to grow. This hardy specimen of trifoliate orange flying dragon poncirus trifoliata has an unusual contorted stem habit covered with thorns. The cultivar flying dragon is dwarfed in size and has highly twisted contorted stems. Originating in china and korea and often referred to as chinese bitter orange or hardy orange poncirus trifoliata offers year round interest with its deciduous trifoliate foliage aromatic flowers green striped bark intimidating spines and golf ball size citrus like fruit.

It makes an excellent barrier hedge due to its density and strong curved thorns. The hardy orange tree also known as the flying dragon trifoliate orange tree is one of the most unique fruit varieties available. Extremely attractive in spring as it flowers before the leaves emerge.