Pruning Mexican orange

When to prune Mexican orange blossom?

Pruning Mexican orange blossom can be carried out just after first flowering (June), or after second flowering in autumn (October).

It may be necessary to cut back old specimens to rejuvenate them. This is usually done in March but bear in mind there will be no flowering that spring.

How to prune a Mexican orange blossom?

Main aim is to aerate the clump, remove unsightly shoots and cut away at the base the oldest branches, dead or damaged by frost.

• 1st year: With a clean, sharp pruning shear, make a light pruning to encourage the bush to ramify. To do this, cut one third of each shoot;
• 2nd year: After first flowering, carry out formative pruning by cutting one third of each year’s shoots;
• 3rd year: After the second flowering this time, carry out maintenance and flowering pruning by slightly aerating the clump and again reducing one third of the year’s shoots;
• Then, prune lightly with a shear to remove all faded flowers and to maintain a compact, dome-shaped habit. If necessary, remove dead or damaged branches completely with the pruning shear. You may also cut it back harder so it keeps reasonable proportions or to regenerate the bush. If you see a new shoot on a branch, cut just above it to encourage its development. Use a sturdier tool if needed: loppers or a pruning saw.

Cutting back may be necessary on Mexican orange bush when old, unbalanced, damaged and never maintained, or when it is taking up too much space. This then involves removing all old shoots, as well as dead or bruised branches. To do so, shorten all branches to 40–50cm from soil. Choisya can regrow even after severe pruning and this cutting-back will stimulate the plant so that it produces, in just a few weeks, many vigorous young shoots. This pruning may seem drastic but latent buds located below the cuts will wake up and develop.