Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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mexican orange blossom shrub

If you’re searching for the perfect evergreen shrub to brighten your garden year-round, the Mexican orange blossom shrub offers exceptional appeal. Renowned for its glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers, this hardy and versatile plant is ideal for New Zealand gardens. Whether you’re looking to create a lush hedge, add seasonal interest, or enjoy delightful citrus-like scent, the Mexican orange blossom shrub delivers beauty and utility in equal measure.

Choisya ternata with lush foliage and white flowers.

Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange)

Choisya ternata, commonly known as Mexican Orange Blossom, is a lush, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and clusters of fragrant white flowers that appear in spring and often again in autumn. Thriving in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, it’s perfect for NZ gardens as a hedge, border, or feature plant. This hardy shrub is drought-tolerant once established, low-maintenance, and adds year-round structure, colour, and fragrance to outdoor spaces.

Buy Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange)

From $24.23

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock, White

Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold)

Tagetes lemmonii, commonly known as Copper Canyon Daisy, Lemmon Marigold, or the Mexican Marigold plant, is a bushy, evergreen shrub grown for its prolific flowering. Masses of orange-yellow flowers are borne autumn and winter. These are complemented with lush green-grey foliage which is made up of tiny leaflets borne off slender stems as it grows to 1.5 m tall and 2.5 m wide. The Mexican Marigold is commonly grown as a hedge, added to a mixed planting, included in cottage or Mediterranean gardens, or used to provide winter colour.

Buy Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold)

From $24.23

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Autumn, Winter

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock

What is the Mexican Orange Blossom Shrub?

The Mexican orange blossom shrub, botanically known as Choisya ternata, is native to Mexico and beloved for its vibrant, aromatic blooms. This shrub grows into a graceful mound, reaching about 1.5-2 meters tall and wide, making it suitable for hedging, screening, or stand-alone focal points. Its evergreen leaves retain their glossy appeal even in winter, ensuring your garden stays lush and lively. To explore more about this star performer, see Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange).

Key Benefits in the Garden

One of the main attractions of the Mexican orange blossom shrub is its ability to flower multiple times throughout the year. The sweet, orange-scented flowers generally appear in spring and can sporadically bloom again in autumn, attracting pollinators like bees. The shrub is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, and resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a practical choice for both beginner and seasoned gardeners.

If you’re seeking golden foliage with the same citrus scent, consider Choisya Aztec Gold (Golden Mexican Orange), which adds a splash of colour alongside similar ease of care.

Where and How to Grow Mexican Orange Blossom Shrub

Mexican orange blossom shrubs thrive in well-drained soils and prefer full sun to part shade. They adapt well to a variety of locations, including sheltered urban gardens and coastal areas. Planting as a hedge provides privacy and security, while individual specimens can highlight garden beds or pathways.

To maintain its compact shape, lightly prune after flowering. Mulching and occasional feeding in spring support healthy growth and prolonged blooming. When combined with other aromatic and flowering shrubs like Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold) or Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine), you can create a delightful sensory experience in your landscape.

Related Shrubs and Companion Plants

For gardeners wanting a bolder orange hue, look into Chaenomeles Orange Storm for vibrant spring colour. Mixing Mexican orange blossom shrub with complementary species can extend flowering displays and enhance biodiversity in your backyard.

Why Choose Mexican Orange Blossom Shrub for New Zealand Gardens?

Resilient, fragrant, and beautifully evergreen, the Mexican orange blossom shrub is a top pick for New Zealand homes. Its adaptability to various soil types and climates, coupled with low maintenance and stunning floral displays, makes it a must-have in any garden design.

Discover more about perfect companion plants and other shrub options by exploring our range online. The Mexican orange blossom shrub will enrich your space with lasting beauty and ease.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.