Practical
Plants

Choisya ternata

Mexican Orange Flower

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Choisya genus in the family Rutaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Choisya
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as an informal hedge, they also respond well to clipping and so can be grown in a more formal manner[11].

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
Southern N. America - Mexico.
Habitat
Chalky soils, often near the sea[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[6]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm long, early July in gentle heat in individual pots in a frame[2][12]. High percentage[12]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, August in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out in spring[12].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires an open sunny but sheltered position[2]. Plants can be damaged by cold winds[8]. Plants grow equally well whether in full sun or in deep shade[7]. They succeed in most soils[7], but prefer a rather light loam[1][2]. They require a well-drained soil, tolerating drought once established and atmospheric pollution[4]. A very ornamental plant[1], it usually survives very severe winters in Britain but can be damaged in spells of lesser cold, especially in the New Year[2]. Plants are normally undamaged at temperatures around -10°c but can be defoliated at -15°c[4]. Whole branches have a habit of dying for no apparent reason[3]. The Mexican orange flower is moderately fast growing when young, but it soon slows down with age[7]. The plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back to the ground if required[7]. Pruning is generally unnecessary for this species, apart from cutting out frost-damaged wood[8]. Some named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[5]. The flowers appear mainly in late spring[5][8], but plants can produce a few flowers in the autumn[5]. They often also flower intermittently all through the summer[8]. The flowers are borne at the shoot tips[8]. The crushed foliage has a pungent aromatic scent of oranges[7][10] and the flowers are sweetly fragrant with the powerful aroma of orange blossom[8][10]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  7. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  11. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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