Choisya Fragrant Evergreen Flowers

Choisya, or Mexican Orange Blossom, is one of the most useful fragrant evergreen shrubs for a sheltered garden.

Its white flowers have a pleasant citrus fragrance and appear in spring, with some varieties producing a second flowering period in autumn.

Where to plant

Choose sun or light partial shade.

A sheltered position near a wall is particularly useful in colder climates.

Care

Water regularly during the first year.

Once established, Choisya can tolerate some drought.

Mulch in spring and feed if necessary.

When to prune

Prune after flowering, generally in late spring or early summer.

How to prune

Remove dead or damaged branches.

Shorten long shoots to maintain shape.

Remove one or two older branches completely if the plant has become congested.

If damaged by frost, wait until late spring to assess which branches have genuinely died before cutting them back.