Choisya × dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'
Mexican orange blossom
- 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.
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark'
Californian lilac
A haze of bright blue flowers in early summer
Rhododendron 'Azuma-kagami' (Kurume)
hybrid rhododendron (syn. Pink pearl)
Sugary pink blooms
Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
montbretia
Bright red flowers are ideal cut flowers
Viburnum × juddii
judd viburnum
Excellent for a partially shady spot
Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple'
smoke bush
Magnificent smoke-like plumes
Kolkwitzia amabilis 'Pink Cloud'
beauty bush
Graceful, arching shrub with pink flowers
Vinca minor 'Gertrude Jekyll'
lesser periwinkle
Abundance of small white flowers
Do you want to ask a question about this?
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!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 Hampshire1 answer
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. BarbaraAsked on 7/4/2009 by Barbara Mickleburgh1 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 davies1 answer
A:
There are a couple of plants that should form a good evergreen screen - here are some of the best. You can click on the link below each plant name to find out more about that particular one. Bamboo http://www.crocus.co.uk/findplant/results/?ParentCategoryID=301&ValueID=&ValueID=&x=38&y=8 Choisya ?? dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/shrubs/choisya-%C3%97-dewitteana-aztec-pearl/classid.823/ Viburnum tinus http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/shrubs/viburnum-tinus-/classid.4482/Elaeagnus http://www.crocus.co.uk/search/results/?q=elaeagnusAnswered on 5/5/2005 by Crocus
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