{"product_id":"citrus-trifoliata","title":"Citrus trifoliata | Poncirus trifoliata","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe hardy orange.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCitrus trifoliata\u003c\/em\u003e, still widely sold as \u003cem\u003ePoncirus trifoliata\u003c\/em\u003e, is the tough, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ecold-hardy cousin\u003c\/a\u003e of the citrus family. It is a deciduous, thorny shrub with bright green stems and long, rigid spines. In spring it carries fragrant white flowers like orange blossom, and by autumn these give way to small, downy orange fruits that scent the air but are far too bitter and pippy to eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness and seasons.\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlike a true citrus, this one is genuinely hardy and takes hard UK winters in its stride. It leafs up in spring, flowers as the trifoliate leaves expand, then turns buttery yellow before dropping in autumn to reveal its green, \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ethorny framework for winter\u003c\/a\u003e. The little orange fruits often hang on after the leaves fall, which is part of the charm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow and where to grow.\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow it in full sun in any reasonable, well-drained soil, chalk included. It is happy in open ground or a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003elarge container\u003c\/a\u003e, and it stands clipping well, so you can train it as a fierce, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/screening-plants\"\u003eimpenetrable hedge\u003c\/a\u003e or leave it loose as a specimen. Water new plants through their first summer while they root out, after which it asks for very little.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiving with it.\u003c\/strong\u003e The thorns are the thing to plan around. They make it a superb intruder-proof boundary but a poor neighbour for a busy path or a doorway. Prune after flowering if you want to shape it, and wear stout gloves and long sleeves when you do. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eBees work the blossom\u003c\/a\u003e, so a plant in flower is rarely quiet.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"23cm \/ 5L","offer_id":58224984850815,"sku":"CITRTRIF23","price":35.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/poncirus.jpg?v=1787172809","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/citrus-trifoliata","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}