Tiny Dragon Hardy Orange

Poncirus trifoliata ‘Tiny Dragon’ a/k/a ‘Baby Dragon’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-10b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub

Height at Maturity: 3-4′ in 15 years

Width at Maturity: 3-4′ in 15 years

Spacing:

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Twisted Branches

Growth Rate: Very Slow

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Small

Flowering Period: Spring

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: Yes

Foliage Color: Medium Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Fruit: Yes

Fruit: Yellow

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sandy, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist but Well-Drained, drought tolerant when established

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Slightly Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold, Deer, Drought, Heat

Special Attributes

Bound to be the most talked about plant in your garden, this oddity is sure to be an attention-getter and conversation piece among you and your guests. Folks will be pointing and asking “Whaaaaat is that???” And you’ll be able to tell them that it fell from the sky and landed in your backyard. Haha. Really though, the ‘Tiny Dragon’ Hardy Orange, also know as ‘Baby Dragon’, is a rare plant with what is perhaps the most contorted branches of any plant on earth. A true collectors plant. The twisting and turning deep green stems almost tie themselves in knots. It’s a good thing this one uses its branches for photosynthesis because the tiny threadlike leaves are barely noticeable. The plant is extremely cold hardy to -20 degrees F and heat hardy as far south as Miami so is suitable for growing outdoors in the ground or in containers in USDA Zones 5a to 10b. We planted ours in a container so we can move it around the gardens.

Note: This selection rarely produces fruits but when it does we hear they taste like tart lemons.

Landscape & Garden Uses

The Tiny Dragon Hardy Orange can be grown in the ground or in pots. In the ground, if left to grow naturally, it can reach a height of maybe 3 to 4 feet over 15 to 20 years but is rarely seen over 3 feet tall. In pots, it might reach 2 to 3 feet in height. We think this oddity is best grown in pots.

Growing Preferences

The Tiny Dragon Hardy Orange is easy to grow in most any average moist but well-drained soil however is quite drought tolerant when established. Plant in well draining pots. It prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. Requires no pruning, which if done might destroy the look of the plant.

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I had the perfect place picked out for his new home and anxiously awaited his arrival. Being a rare plant for “focal interest”, he commands attention. He arrived in perfect condition, packed in the usual sturdy Wilson Brothers packaging, and looked just like the website photo! I got him all settled in. Now I sit on my front porch every day and smile. He’s perfect! Wilson Brothers Gardens never disappoints. They are my go-to for all my gardening needs.————————————-Wow!! We are so glad you are pleased and we really hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG