Choisya
Choisya ternata
Known as Mexican orange blossom, this rounded evergreen shrub produces clusters of sweetly scented white flowers in late spring, often with a second flush in autumn. The glossy, aromatic trifoliate leaves release a pleasant scent when crushed. Hardy throughout most of the UK in sheltered positions. Excellent for year-round structure and fragrance in borders, near doorways and in containers.
How to grow choisya
Plant in spring in well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Choisya thrives in full sun or partial shade, though flowering is more abundant in sunnier spots. In cold or exposed areas, plant against a south or west-facing wall for protection from icy winds. Water well during the first growing season. Once established, it is reasonably drought-tolerant. Mulch annually in spring. Feed with a general-purpose fertiliser after the first flush of flowers. The golden-leaved cultivar 'Sundance' is popular but flowers less freely than the plain green species. 'White Dazzler' has finer foliage and a more compact habit, reaching only 1.5m.
Pruning
Prune lightly after the main spring flowering, cutting back any untidy or frost-damaged shoots to maintain a neat, rounded shape. Choisya rarely needs heavy pruning but responds well if cut back hard in late spring. Avoid pruning in autumn as this removes the buds for the secondary flush of flowers and exposes new growth to frost damage.
Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
- Softwood cuttings in early summer
Common problems
- Frost damage to young growth in exposed positions
- Leaf discolouration from cold winds
- Slugs and snails on young plants