Mexican Mock Orange Choisya ternata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Mexican Mock Orange:
- Phonetic Spelling
- CHOY-see-ah ter-NAH-tah
- Description
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Choisya ternata was named to honor the Swiss Protestant clergyman and botanist, Jacques Denis Choisy, with ternata meaning having leaflets in threes.
Mexican Orange is a shrub native to the southwest USA and Mexico that prefers mild winter locations in full to part sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun. Its common name, Mexican Orange, refers to the orange fragrance emitted from the flowers and crushed leaves.
Although flowering occurs in late spring, it is possible to see additional blooms throughout the summer and into the fall.
In areas north of zone 7 it can be grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop below 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures below 5 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the plant to defoliate.
Pruning is typically not necessary, but its tolerance for pruning allows for the removal of dead or damaged branches. Cutting to ground level is also tolerated.
The shrub is known for its fragrant and lovely leaves and fragrant showy white blooms in summer. It grows in shrub form 4-8 feet tall and wide and can be used as a hedge or for privacy. Plant in humusy, moist, well-drained soils and prune after flowering for possible additional blooms. Once established it is moderately tolerant of brief droughts.
In its native habitat, it can be found growing in chalky soils, often a seaside location. Cold winds can cause damage when shelter is not provided.
Young plants tend to grow at a rapid pace, but as the plant ages, it will grow at a more moderate pace.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease issues. Provide proper drainage to prevent root rot and crown rot.
Limbs can die, even when there is no apparent reason.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Sundance'
Gold/yellow foliage
- 'Sundance'
- 'Sundance'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Sundance'
Gold/yellow foliage
- 'Sundance'
- 'Sundance'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Choisya
- Species:
- ternata
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In warmer climates it can be grown outdoors as an evergreen plant, while cooler climates require that they be brought indoors in the colder months.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern US and Mexico
- Distribution:
- AZ, NM, TX
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Honey fungus
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are 2 to 6 sectioned capsules.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1.25-inch wide star-shaped flowers appear in corymbs in summer and are white and fragrant.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The 3-6 inch leaves are trifoliate, glossy, aromatic and medium green in color. The new foliage is yellow-green.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- Smooth trunk.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-trunked.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Pollution
- Rabbits