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Choisya × dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'

Mexican orange blossom

2 litre pot
pot size guide £12.99 £11.99 Buy
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within 2 weeks Buy

Finely divided, rich-green evergreen foliage and fragrant almond-scented blush-white flowers in May (and often in late summer too) on an elegantly restrained shrub

Val Bourne - Garden Writer

1 year guarantee
All you can buy delivered for £4.99
  • Position: full sun or partial shade
  • Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
  • Rate of growth: fast-growing
  • Flowering Period: May, but they often have a second flush in late summer or autumn
  • Hardiness: fully hardy

    An evergreen shrub with slender, glossy, dark green leaves, and clusters of fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers in late spring. 'Aztec Pearl' is a more compact alternative to the ubiquitous Choisya ternata. It's ideal for the back or middle of a mixed border, and in hot summers it may flower again in late summer. It can also be grown in partial shade as an attractive foliage plant. Although it's fully hardy, the leaves may be damaged by exposure to strong winds or frost.

  • Garden care: Any pruning should be tackled in late spring or early summer immediately after flowering, although it is not essential to maintain healthy growth. Removing 25-30cm (10-12in) off the top of the flowered stems may encourage a second flush of flowers, and at the same time you can remove any frost-damaged stems to the base.
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5 litre pot available to order from summer 2015
 

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If so, click on the button and fill in the box below. We will post the question on the website, together with your alias (bunnykins, digger1, plantdotty etc etc) and where you are from (Sunningdale/Glasgow etc). We'll also post the answer to your question!

4 Questions | 4 Answers
Displaying questions 1-4

  • Q:

    i have had a choisya for a about ten years. no problems at all until now. one half of the shrub is flowering the other half the buds are there but have not opened and the leaves are going yellow.
    Asked on 6/1/2014 by toggle from United Kingdom

    1 answer

    • Plant Doctor

      A:

      Hello,

      There are a couple of options that should be considered. If the plant is old, then it may be starting to die back, but I wonder if the plant has suffered some form of stem damage. This could be caused bu a number of things including footballs, dogs, foxes or even enthusiastic children. If it continues to deteriorate, then the best thing you can do is remove the die-back and make sure the plant is kept well fed and watered. The good news is they are relatively fast growing, so although it may look a little lopsided for the season, it should soon fill out again.

      Answered on 6/2/2014 by helen from crocus

  • Q:

    I have had a Choisya Aztec Pearl for about 6-7 years now, but in the autumn of last year it started looking a bit sick. We pruned it hoping that it would put on new growth. It hasn't and now all the leaves look brown, curled up and dead. It is planted in clay - do you think it just couldn't cope with all the rain we had last year? Is there any hope for it - should I try cutting it right back to a couple of stems - or do I need to replace it with something else. It is growing next to a Lonicera × purpusii 'Winter Beauty' which was planted at the same time and is growing well, although its flowers seem to have died off earlier than usual.
    Asked on 3/29/2013 by Lizziew from Hampshire

    1 answer

    • Plant Doctor

      A:

      Hello,

      Choisyas are wonderful, but they don't tend to be particularly long-lived, so after 7 years, your plant may simply have died of natural causes. If it has gone all brown and looks dead, then I would be tempted to whip it out and start again. Now would be the perfect time to plant it as you should get lots of new growth this year.

      Answered on 4/2/2013 by Helen from Crocus

  • Q:

    Is Choisya is OK in a pot?

    Dear Crocus, I am looking for a reasonable sized plant or shrub to go in a large tub. I was thinking of Choisya ternata. Do you think that would be suitable or have you a better idea - please? I live in a sheltered, fairly sunny spot. I will be very grateful for any advice offered to me. Barbara
    Asked on 7/4/2009 by Barbara Mickleburgh

    1 answer

    • A:

      Hello Barbara, Choisyas are one of my all time favourites and they tend to do really well in pots, so yes I think it would be a great idea. Try to get the largest pot you can find and make sure it is kept well fed and watered and I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

      Answered on 7/8/2009 by Crocus Helpdesk

  • Q:

    What can I plant in a pot?

    I am having problems with hooligans throwing stones at my patio windows. Can you suggest a small tree or shrub that will grow to around 2 - 2.5m high that can be placed in a large pot in front of the windows to help deter them?
    Asked on 5/4/2005 by peter davies

    1 answer

Displaying questions 1-4

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