Choisya naturally forms a rounded, bushy shape, so you rarely need to do much to keep it looking good. The glossy leaves clothe the stems from top to bottom, giving a neat, full appearance even in the depths of winter when many other plants have died back. For busy gardeners in and around Ely and East Anglia, it’s the kind of shrub that quietly gets on with the job – filling a space, softening a corner and always looking presentable without demanding constant attention.
Common name: Mexican Orange Blossom.
Latin name: Choisya
Size in UK gardens: Most varieties reach around 1–2m tall and wide over time, forming a rounded evergreen shrub that suits many front and back gardens.
Best position: A sunny or lightly shaded spot with a bit of shelter from the coldest winds – often near a wall, path or seating area where you can enjoy the scent.
Soil: Prefers well‑drained, reasonably fertile garden soil that doesn’t sit wet for long periods.
Flowering time: Main flush of starry white flowers in late spring to early summer, with some varieties offering a lighter repeat of bloom in late summer or early autumn.
Fragrance: Sweet, orange‑blossom‑like scent from the flowers, and a pleasantly aromatic, citrusy smell from the leaves when lightly crushed.
Hardiness: Generally hardy in typical UK conditions. Established plants usually come through a normal winter well, with only occasional leaf scorch in more exposed spots.
Care level: Easy and reliable – enjoys sun or light shade, simple pruning after flowering, and a light mulch in spring.
The Simpson’s team raises the majority of our trees here at the nursery. For varieties outside our own production, we work with independent local growers we trust - all chosen for UK climate suitability.
Planting time: As a container‑grown shrub, Choisya can be planted in most months when the soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Spring and early autumn are often the easiest times, when natural moisture and mild temperatures help new roots settle.
Watering: Water regularly through the first growing season so the rootball and surrounding soil don’t dry out completely. Once established in the ground, it usually manages well with normal rainfall, needing extra water only in longer dry spells.
Feeding: In average garden soil, Choisya is not a heavy feeder. A light mulch of compost around the base in spring, or a modest sprinkle of balanced fertiliser, is normally enough to keep it looking green and healthy.
Pruning: Only light pruning is needed. A simple trim after the main flush of flowers – removing dead or straggly stems and shaping gently – will keep it dense and tidy.
Winter: In a typical Cambridgeshire winter, established Choisya shrubs cope well without special protection. Young plants may appreciate a sheltered spot and a light mulch around the base while they find their feet.
Availability is always changing, so please check with us if you have a particular variety in mind.
Neat evergreen foliage gives year-round structure, and when it flowers you get that lovely orange-blossom perfume that makes a garden feel instantly more inviting. It’s a very useful shrub for borders and informal hedging, bringing a clean, fresh look and a gentle sense of Mediterranean ease.
Narrow, elegant leaves give this Mexican orange blossom a lighter, more refined look, and the white flowers arrive with that delicious citrus scent that stops you in your tracks. It’s perfect near paths and patios where you can enjoy the fragrance, and it brings a polished evergreen presence through every season.
Golden foliage brightens borders as if someone has turned up the sunlight, making it particularly valuable when you want colour that doesn’t depend on flowers. It pairs beautifully with dark evergreens and purple foliage, and it brings that familiar choisya fragrance in bloom, with an extra warm glow in the leaves.
One of the best for luminous colour, with bright golden leaves that keep borders looking cheerful from spring onwards. When it flowers, the contrast of white blooms against gold foliage is particularly lovely, and it’s superb as a feature shrub near the house where the colour and scent can be enjoyed daily.
A garden classic: glossy evergreen leaves, a tidy habit, and clouds of white flowers with that unmistakable orange-blossom scent. It’s perfect for giving borders year-round backbone, for informal hedging, and for planting near seating where the fragrance turns an ordinary moment into something rather special.
