Citrus trifoliata

RHS Plant Profile
Japanese bitter orange

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Citrus trifoliata?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
Japanese bitter orange RHS
Japanese bitter orange RHS
Japanese bitter orange visionspictures.com
Japanese bitter orange visionspictures.com

Other common names

bitter orange, Chinese citron, flying dragon, golden apple, hardy orange, trifoliate orange

Synonyms

Poncirus trifoliata
Aegle sepiaria

Shrubs Trees
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
17 Suppliers

A bushy shrub or small tree to around 3m tall, with green branches bearing large, stiff thorns to 5cm long, and fragrant white flowers like orange-blossom in spring or early summer, followed by orange fruits 4cm across. Fruits are edible if cooked but are very seedy and sour-tasting so best used to make preserves

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rutaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen (lemon and lime-bearing Citrus only). Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C & S China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Alternatively, take semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Hedging and screens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free