Choisya ternata

Sunset

Choisya ternata Mexican Orange

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Zones 6-9, 14-31

Full, Partial

Moderate, Minimal

Mexican Orange, Mock Orange
Rutaceae
Evergreen, Shrubs

Mexican native hardy to 15°F/°9°C. Fast growing to 6 to 8 ft. high and wide. Lustrous, rich green leaves held toward ends of branches are divided into fans of three leaflets to 3 in. long. Fans give shrub a dense, massive look—but with highlights and shadows. Clusters of fragrant white flowers, somewhat like small orange blossoms, open in late winter or early spring and in bloom continuously for at least two months, then intermittently through summer. Appealing to bees. Sometimes called mock orange.

Attractive informal hedge or screen. During growing season, thin out older branches in plant°s center to force leafy new interior growth. Cut freely for decoration when in bloom.

Touchy about soil conditions—difficult to grow in alkaline soils or where water is high in salts. Under such conditions, amend the soil as for azaleas. They are prone to root rot and crown rot if drainage is poor. Subject to damage from sucking insects and mites.