Mexican Orange Blossom – Growing and Care Guide for NZ Gardens

How to Grow Mexican Orange Blossom

Planting Mexican Orange Blossom and getting it to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to give you the greatest chance of success when growing a Mexican Orange Blossom.

How To Make A Mexican Orange Blossom Standard

Creating a Mexican Orange Blossom standard requires both patience and a straight, single-stemmed plant to start off with. The plant is staked to grow with a straight trunk. The branches are progressively trimmed off hard against the trunk until the desired height of the standard is achieved. Generally, no more than one-third of the overall vegetation is removed each time the branches are removed. This process can take two years (or more) to complete and requires the right balance between trimming and leaving enough foliage for the plant to keep growing strongly. If all this seems too hard or you don’t have the patience, contact us and we can generally supply your needs.

How To Plant A Mexican Orange Blossom

Choose a full sun or partial position with good drainage and moderate shelter for your Mexican Orange Blossom plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A good planting spade makes this job a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.

Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. The Plant Company does not advise cutting through roots, even if the plant is rootbound, as that injures the plant. Our article, Managing Rootbound Plants explains this in more detail.

Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is sitting above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure from your fingers as you go. Scatter shrub fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and the give the plant a good watering. If the plant is taller than 30 cm you might want to consider staking it to give it a bit of extra support and use tree ties for secure and appropriate holding.

How To Propagate Mexican Orange Blossom

Mexican Orange Blossom are propagated from stem cuttings. Semi-hardwood cuttings are usually taken from autumn until mid-spring. A stem about 8-10 cm long is trimmed into a cutting using secateurs with 2-3 leaves at the top and just below a node. The cutting is dipped in rooting hormone then inserted into propagation growing media. The tray of cuttings is placed under mist with bottom heat also applied. The cuttings will have taken root inside of four weeks as a general rule.

What Is The Best Fertiliser For Mexican Orange Blossom?

Mexican Orange Blossom require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s Shrub Fertiliser has been blended to give plants the boost they need and then sustained nutrition for the next 12 months. We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. This fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. The Plant Company’s Shrub Fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.

Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if Shrub Fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.

When Is The Best Time To Prune Mexican Orange Blossom?

The best time to prune Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) is usually after the first flush of flowers in early to mid-summer. A new flush of growth will result which can harden off before winter frosts. The Plant Company recommends pruning no more than one-third of the foliage from the plant when undertaking this procedure. While you can prune in the other seasons, this will come at the expense of flowers and can make the plant look somewhat ‘nude’ while it awaits warmer temperatures to grow again.

Where Is The Best Place To Plant Mexican Orange Blossom?

The best place to plant Mexican Orange Blossom is in a well-drained spot with a soil that is rich in fertility and slightly acidic. They can tolerate a variety of climates, but they prefer full sun or partial shade position that is sheltered from wind.

Mexican Orange Blossom Care

Caring for Mexican Orange Blossom plants is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success!

How To Care For Mexican Orange Blossom

The most important part to Mexican Orange Blossom care starts with planting, and our article, How To Plant Mexican Orange Blossom, provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!

Winter is the perfect time for mulching your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with mulch. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.

Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our shrub fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.

Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second day on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.

Caring for Mexican Orange Blossom in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.

Finally, the plants should be checked for pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn.

Why Are My Mexican Orange Blossom Leaves Turning Yellow?

There are a few possible reasons why your Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) leaves might be turning yellow:

• Overwatering is often the most common issue. Mexican Orange Blossoms prefer well-draining soil and don't like their roots being constantly wet.
• A lack of nutrients, especially iron, can cause the leaves to yellow. A foliar fertiliser can correct issues quickly and should be supplemented with shrub fertiliser.
• If you recently experienced a frost, the leaves might be suffering from the cold damage. Mexican Orange Blossoms generally tolerate cooler climates, but severe frosts can damage the foliage.
• Pests or diseases: Less likely, but inspect for signs of pests like fungal diseases or scale insects that could be causing the issue.

Mexican Orange Blossom General Information

This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Mexican Orange Blossom, such as how big they grow, their hardiness, and more!

How Big Do Mexican Orange Blossoms Grow?

Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) are attractive evergreen shrubs that are popular for their fragrant white flowers. They typically grow to be between 1.2-2.5 m tall and wide. However, their ultimate size can depend on the variety and growing conditions. Some dwarf varieties may only reach 1 m tall, while others can reach 3 m under ideal conditions.

Is Mexican Orange Blossom Poisonous To Dogs?

Mexican Orange Blossom, also known as Mock Orange (Choisya ternata) is not considered poisonous to dogs. In fact, it is often recommended as a safe and attractive plant for dog-friendly gardens. However, if ingested in large quantities, it can cause an upset stomach or an intestinal blockage. If you notice your dog consuming large amounts of plant material, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian.

Is Mexican Orange Blossom Poisonous?

Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) is not considered poisonous to humans or pets. In fact, it is often recommended as a safe plant for gardens. However, if ingested in large quantities, it can cause an upset stomach or an intestinal blockage. If you notice your dog consuming large amounts of the plant, consult with a veterinarian.

What Does Mexican Orange Blossom Smell Like?

The scent of Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) is primarily described as being sweet and fresh, reminiscent of lemon or orange blossoms. Some people detect a hint of honey or almond in the fragrance.

What Is The Mexican Orange Plant?

The Mexican Orange Plant is Choisya ternata and is also commonly known as Mexican Orange Blossom. Ironically, it isn’t an orange tree, but rather, a fragrant evergreen shrub. It earns its name from the clusters of white, citrus-scented flowers in late spring to early summer. It grows to 1.2-2.5 (4-8 feet tall) and thrives in mild climates. This low-maintenance shrub is a popular choice for hedges, borders, and cottage gardens where it adds a touch of elegance and a delightful fragrance to a garden.

What Is The Orange Flowering Tree In Mexico?

There are three strong contenders for the title of "orange flowering tree in Mexico," depending on the specific shade of orange and plant in mind:

• Flamboyan Tree (Delonix regia): This vibrant tree boasts a stunning display of red-orange flowers with four petals. It's also known as the Royal Poinciana, Flame Tree, or Gulmohar. While not native to Mexico, it thrives in the Yucatan peninsula and is used in street plantings to add a fiery touch to the landscape.
• African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata): This evergreen tree produces large clusters of red-orange flowers with a resemblance to tulips throughout the year. It's commonly called "tulipán" in Mexico and is known for its continuous flowering.
• Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata): This evergreen shrub features glossy green foliage and elegant, white flowers in spring.

When Does Mexican Orange Blossom Flower?

Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) flowers primarily in late spring to early summer. However, it can also have sporadic blooms throughout the summer and autumn in warmer climates and when grown with good levels of soil fertility and moisture.