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White fragrant flowers of Mexican orange with glossy foliageShrubs

Choisya ternata

Mexican Orange

evergreenfragrant shrubwhite flowersbee-friendlysheltered garden

The Mexican orange is an evergreen shrub with glossy, trifoliate leaves that release a delightful orange scent when touched. In April and May masses of star-shaped white flowers appear that are equally fragrant. A versatile shrub for both sun and partial shade.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Full sun, Partial shade
Water
Medium
Height
150–250 cm
Spread
150–250 cm
Hardiness zone
7–10
Family
Rutaceae
Evergreen
Yes
Flower colors
white
Wildlife value
bees, butterflies

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil. The shrub tolerates light frost but may suffer leaf damage in severe winters. Water regularly during dry spells. Feeding is rarely needed in normal garden soil.

Pruning tips

Prune immediately after flowering in May to correct the shape and keep growth compact. The shrub responds well to moderate pruning but recovers slowly from hard cutting back. Remove any frost damage in spring.

Good companions

Blooming lavender with purple-blue flowers in summer sunlightShrubs

Lavandula angustifolia

English Lavender

Lavender is a beloved herb with aromatic silver-green foliage and purple-blue flower spikes. This evergreen plant blooms profusely from June to August and is remarkably drought-tolerant, attracting butterflies and bees to the garden.

Full sunLow30–60 cm
Neatly clipped boxwood sphere in a formal gardenShrubs

Buxus sempervirens

Boxwood

Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with small, glossy dark green leaves that is ideal for topiary and hedging. The plant grows slowly and can live for hundreds of years. Small green-yellow flowers appear in April and May, attracting early bees.

Partial shadeMedium100–500 cm
Blue-purple hydrangea flowers in a shaded gardenShrubs

Hydrangea macrophylla

Hydrangea

Hydrangea is a popular garden shrub with large, globe-shaped flower heads blooming from June through September. The flowers turn blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. A sturdy plant that thrives in sheltered spots with partial shade.

Partial shadeMedium100–180 cm