Mexican orange blossom

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade helps in hot climates. Shelter from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly during establishment. Once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells; avoid constantly wet soil.

Soil

Well-drained soil enriched with organic matter; tolerates chalk and a range of soil pH levels. Avoid waterlogged clay.

Height

6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m)

Spread

6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m)

Flowers

Fragrant white flowers in clusters in mid- to late spring, often with a smaller repeat flush in late summer or autumn.

Foliage

Evergreen. Glossy green leaves divided into three broad leaflets, with a strong aromatic scent when crushed.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Water deeply through the first growing season whenever the root zone begins to dry.
• Apply a 2-3 in (5-8 cm) layer of organic mulch in spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Top-dress with compost in spring; use a balanced fertiliser only if growth is weak on poor soil.
• Protect young plants from cold winds and severe frost, especially near the colder end of their range.
• For container plants, use a pot with drainage holes and water when the surface compost dries.

Pruning. Prune just after the main spring flowering, shortening flowered shoots to maintain a rounded shape and removing dead or damaged wood. Renovate an overgrown shrub by cutting back a proportion of the oldest stems each year rather than shearing it hard all over.

Spring

Plant once the soil is workable and severe frost has passed; water well and mulch.

Spring

Check for winter damage and remove dead shoots once new growth makes them easy to identify.

Late spring

Shape lightly after the main flowering flush.

Summer

Water young plants during dry weather and check container plants frequently.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Autumn

Plant in mild regions while soil is still warm; avoid late pruning that encourages tender growth.

Winter

Protect exposed young plants during severe cold and check that pots drain freely.

• Plant beside a path or seating area where the spring flower fragrance can be enjoyed.
• Use as an informal evergreen hedge or a rounded backdrop to lower flowering plants.
• Combine with lavender and rock roses in a sunny, well-drained border for contrasting foliage and flower shapes.
• Pair with hellebores and hardy geraniums in a lightly shaded border for flowers at different times of year.
• Grow in a large container in a sheltered courtyard, allowing room for its broad mature shape.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Modern courtyard, Mediterranean, Sensory garden, Low-maintenance and White garden.

Plant it with: Lavender, Rock rose, Hardy geranium, Hellebore, Rosemary and Japanese anemone.

Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other visiting insects; dense evergreen growth offers shelter for small garden wildlife.

• Root rot in waterlogged soil: improve drainage or move the plant to a raised position; do not leave containers standing in water.
• Frost and wind scorch: choose a sheltered site, protect young plants during severe cold, and remove damaged growth in spring.
• Snails eating young foliage: inspect tender growth and remove snails, especially during damp weather.
• Red spider mites in hot, dry conditions, particularly under cover: check mottled leaves for fine webbing, rinse leaf undersides and prevent drought stress.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No part is recognised as a significant poisoning hazard, but it is not an edible plant and animal-specific information is limited.

• Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius)

  Also has fragrant white flowers, but it is deciduous and has simple, toothed leaves rather than evergreen leaves divided into three leaflets.

• Japanese mock orange (Pittosporum tobira)

  Has thick, undivided leaves clustered at shoot tips; its flowers usually age from white to cream-yellow. Choisya has three distinct leaflets per leaf.

Choisya honours Swiss botanist Jacques Denis Choisy, ternata refers to the three leaflets, and Mexican orange blossom describes its Mexican origin and orange-scented flowers.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a free-draining medium with gentle humidity. Low branches can also be layered.

Accepted botanical name

Choisya ternata

Native range

Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast and Mexico Southwest.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.