A pair of small Choisyas

The Mexican Orange Blossom is best planted in spring in the north and early autumn in drier and warmer climates. It appreciates light, loose, well-drained soils. It tolerates the presence of limestone in the soil, but not in excess. Once established, after 2 or 3 years of cultivation, it is capable of surviving without watering in summer. It is resistant to -15°C, but quite sensitive during its early years, especially in heavy and humid soil: lighten your garden soil if necessary with a supply of river sand, gravel or volcanic ash: Choose a warm location, in full sun in cold regions, but partial shade in very sunny and dry regions. If it grows in the shade, under trees, its habit will be looser and its flowering less abundant. Shelter it from cold winds. In summer, during the first years, water regularly if necessary to help the bush establish itself.

Attention: Choisya is sensitive to attacks from Phytophthora, a fungus that attacks the neck of the plant when the soil is both warm and permanently moist; as a result, in hot regions, watering in summer should be spaced out to allow the soil to dry between two abundant water supplies. The Mexican Orange Blossom is an easy-to-grow plant that tolerates competition from the roots of large trees.