Mexican Orange Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Mexican Orange:
- Phonetic Spelling
- CHOY-see-ah de-wit-tee-AN-nah
- Description
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The award-winning Choisya x dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' was bred in 1982 from a cross between Choisya ternata and Choisya dumosa var. arizonica. The cultivar was bred by Peter Moore for Hillier nurseries, located in Hampshire in the United Kingdom.
It is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that will reach a height of 8' tall. Its showy white flowers along with its foliage have a distinct orange scent, thus its common names including the word orange. Its foliage have oil glands, that when they are crushed they will omit the very fragrant aroma.
The abundance of nectar produced by the flowers provides a great source of food for butterflies and bees.
If pruning is necessary, accomplish that task after blooming. That pruning will encourage additional flowering.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Occasional issues with snails and spider mites.
Provide a sheltered location to protect from strong winds and aid in the prevention of winter kill.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Choisya
- Species:
- dewitteana
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Great for borders and screening.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Dimensions:
- Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Open
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The buds are pink, flushing to white. The fragrant white flowers appear at the end of shoots in clusters of 3 to 6. It will bloom in late spring to early summer and then again in late summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The bright green, finger-like leaves have a fragrant aroma.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
