Description

Also known as ‘Mexican Orange Blossom’, Sundance is a most frost hardy evergreen, compact, rounded bush of attractive green leaves consisting growing to a height and spread of 2 metres. The plant consists of 3 glossy yellow/green leaflets grouped in 3s from which the term ternata derives. The foliage is golden yellow when young and matures to yellow-green with age.

The crushed or bruised leaves are also pleasantly aromatic. Tight clusters of small white, sweetly scented, star shaped flowers resembling orange blossoms appear among the leaves in spring and sometimes again in late summer. It makes an excellent hedging plant as well as an attractive addition to shrub borders. Choisya is suited to most climatic regions from tropical to cool temperate.

Cultivation

Choisya grows best in full sun or part shade in a slightly acid, humus rich and well drained soil. Prepare the planting site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone or rich compost. Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth. Protect from strong winds and prune lightly after flowering to keep the foliage dense and close to the ground. Sundance is frost and drought resistant but will respond well to fertiliser and water during the growing season. No particular pests or diseases.