Citrus ‘Orange Flying Tiger’

This rarely seen Citrus is completely hardy, surviving temperatures down to -20C. It is valued for its copious fragrant flowers and abundance of both edible and ornamental citrus fruits.

Citrus ‘Orange Flying Tiger’ forms a deciduous shrub or small tree, with dense branches heavily armed with sharp spines. The dark green, aromatic leaves are distinctive for being held in bunches of three leaflets and turn yellow in the autumn providing additional seasonal interest. The branchlets stay green for several years and twist into contorted shapes making a striking winter silhouette and an interesting subject for bonsai growing. From April to June, Citrus ‘Orange Flying Tiger’ is smothered in cup-shaped, white flowers with an intense orange fragrance. These are followed by slightly knobbly, yellow-green citrus fruits about the size of a satsuma. The sour fruits have little flesh but their zest supplies an intense citrus flavour for baking, marmalades and cocktail garnishes. They are also widely used as an ingredient in Chinese medicine. Throughout winter, the colourful fruit remains on the tree amongst the contorted branches, creating additional winter interest. Maximum height and spread: 5m (16ft).