Flying Dragon Citrus (Bitter Orange)

Are Flying Dragon oranges edible?

Flying Dragon oranges are technically edible, but not palatable. The fruit is slight, seedy, very sour, and bitter with a strong resinous flavour, more like a lemon than an orange. It is not typically eaten fresh but can be used in small amounts for marmalade, flavouring, or herbal remedies. The plant is primarily grown as a hardy, thorny rootstock or ornamental shrub, rather than for its fruit.

How to care for a flying dragon plant?

To care for a Flying Dragon plant (Poncirus trifoliata ‘Flying Dragon’), choose a sunny, well-drained spot in the garden. It tolerates a range of soils but prefers slightly acidic conditions. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots, then reduce watering once the plant is established, as it is drought-tolerant. Prune to shape in winter if necessary, and remove any suckers that form below the graft. It’s cold-hardy, requires minimal feeding, and can be grown as a striking specimen or an impenetrable hedge.