Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Choisya ternata

Mexican orange blossom

A rounded, medium-sized bushy evergreen shrub, with dark, glossy green leaves divided into three broad leaflets. Flowers pure white, scented, often appearing fitfully into winter

Other common names
Mexican orange
Mexican orange flower
Synonyms
Choisya grandiflora

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 30% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn White Green
Winter White Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Rutaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Choisya are evergreen shrubs with aromatic, palmately divided leaves and fragrant star-shaped white flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.