Choisya Goldfinger - Mexican Orange Blossom

Choisya 'Goldfinger' is a variety of Mexican Orange Blossom. It is a compact, evergreen, aromatic bush with golden yellow foliage, giving the plant a beautiful bright and exotic appearance. An abundance of white flowers with an orange fragrance blooms in late spring and blooms again in August-September. 

Originally from Mexico, Choisya ternata, from which this variety comes, belongs to the rutaceae family, like citrus trees. 'Goldfinger' is a small bush 2m (6.6 ft) high. Its rounded, compact habit bears shiny evergreen, opposite leaves divided into 3 or 5 golden leaflets, 6 cm (2.4 in) long. When these leaves are crushed, they release a strong scent of orange bark. Its star-shaped white flowers are tinged with pink, are 3cm (1.2 in) in diameter, and appear in April-May. They often bloom again in autumn. The flowers are extremely fragrant.

Choisya 'Goldfinger' prefers well-drained soil that is not too chalky, and a warm, sunny location protected from cold winds. After the first flowering, light pruning helps maintain a compact habit and promote a floral resurgence in autumn.

Choisya 'Goldfinger' can be planted as a standalone specimen in a strategic location to enjoy its delicate fragrance or as a free hedge with 80 cm (31.5 in) spacing. It is also easy to cultivate in a container on a terrace. It is an asset in a garden with an exotic planting scheme, and is hardy down to -15° C (15° F).