Orixa japonica 'Aurea' and friends

Orixa seems to be a relatively unknown shrub. The new growth on Aurea comes out yellow (no surprise here) and fades to green. It's best color, though, is in the fall when the leaves turn the color of parchment and rather translucent. It is definitely a contrast to all of the reds and golds on the other plants. This has been in the garden for a long time, but most people don't seem to notice it since most of our visitors are here when it is just another green bush. Those who do venture out to the country for a fall walk will definitely have a treat in store. The picture on the right is one we have just added, this week, a new orixa, 'Pearl Frost' which we just recently found out about and were lucky enough to find available after a bit of searching. We got two and they are still potted, but the holes are dug and when this heat breaks, they'll be in the ground. Orixa, oddly enough, is a member of the citrus family, even though it is thoroughly hardy here. More on another hardy citrus next time.