Building ideas: Orixa japonica

Monday, March 3, 2014

Orixa japonica

The one and only member of the Orixa genus ( tribe ) of plants, part of the Citrus family. It forms a moderate growing, dense, wide-spreading shrub to 7 feet or more, that is native to mountainous parts of China, Korea and Japan. Some records include: fastest recorded growth rate - 3 feet; largest on record - 10 x 13 feet. Excellent for use as a natural unsheared hedge.
The attractive, deciduous foliage is alternately arranged, smooth margined and ovate. The aromatic leaves reach up to 6 x 3 inches in size and are glossy deep green in summer turning to pale yellow in autumn.
The male and female flowers are both borne on the same plant at the same time as the emerging foliage. The male flowers are borne in small panicles up to 1.3 inches in length and the female flowers are borne singly.
The brown fruits are 4 lobed and up to 0.7 inches in width.
Hardy zones 5 to 8; the Orixa thrives in Toronto and also in the hot humid summers found in the U.S. Mid Atlantic. It should be expected to thrive in most of the eastern U.S.
Orixa prefers fertile, light, acidic, well drained soil in sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of drought. No major pruning other than a light prune to shape in February or March is needed; however it is used as a hedge plant in Japan.
Propagation can either be from cuttings taken in summer or from seed planted in spring.

* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA