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How to Plant & Grow
Choisya
Choisya shrubs, also known as Mexican Orange Blossoms, are easy to grow and provide an impressive bout of foliage for the seasonal garden. Their fragrant flowers appear from spring to summer, and the shrub itself is often evergreen, providing year-round colour.
If you’re new to growing choisya shrubs or just need to refresh your memory, then our guide to growing choisya will help you to help them thrive.
What We've Included
When to Plant | How to Plant | Where to Plant | When to Water | Should I Feed my Choisya? | How to Mulch | How to Prune | How to Propagate | Common Issues | Choisya FAQs | Inspiration
When to Plant Choisya
Choisya grown in pots can be planted outside in spring or autumn. Loose roots can be planted out or potted up as soon as they have arrived. Try to avoid planting Choisya plants in extreme heat or cold weather conditions.
How to Plant Choisya
Planting Pot-Grown Plants
Our pot-grown plants are incredibly easy to plant and grow. Whether you’re growing them directly outside into the border or into a container, our pot-grown plants are a breeze from the moment they arrive.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the root system. If planting in pots, fill a large pot halfway with potting soil and then make a well in the middle. Do this until the top of the soil from the plant is just below the top of the pot.
- Wedge in the plant by adding soil to the gaps in the hole, firming down the surface to ensure it’s in place. - Water well and you’re done!
Planting Loose Roots
Loose roots to beginners might sound intimidating but are really easy to plant. They are also budget friendly!
Here’s how to plant loose roots:
- Soak roots in a bucket of water for 1-2 hours before planting.
- Dig a hole in the border that’s big enough to house the root system. If planting in pots, fill it halfway with potting soil and then pop the roots in with the crown pointing upwards and the root system pointing to the floor.
- Plant in groups for a fuller display, usually in groups of 3, somewhere that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Ensure the crown is just below the soil unless the plant has some leaves, in which case leave them exposed with the rest of the root system under the soil.
- Water well once planted.
Where to Plant Choisya
These plants can handle a full sun or partially shaded spot in the garden. Depending on the height of the variety you’ve chosen, they can be grown in the back of a border (if it’s tall) or in a container (if it’s compact). If your soil often becomes waterlogged, it’s a better idea to grow a smaller variety in a container, as these plants hate to get too wet.
When to Water Choisya
Water Choisya plants regularly for its first two years. Once it has established, it will cope without extra watering (except in periods of drought or particularly warm and dry spells). Any varieties grown in a container will need regular watering throughout summer, regardless of their age, as they will drain quickly.
Should I Feed My Choisya?
You don’t really need to feed your Choisya, as it will pull nutrients from the soil. However, if you’re working with poor soil conditions, then you can apply a general fertiliser in spring.
How to Mulch Choisya
We always recommend adding a healthy layer of mulch around the base of a shrub. This can be a mixture of well-rotted compost or manure. This will help the soil retain moisture throughout spring and into summer.
How to Prune Choisya
Choisyas that are established won’t really need pruning. However, you can prune them back if you feel they’re getting too large. Prune your shrub in mid-spring, before growth begins. Spindly shrubs can be cut back by a third. Take off any damaged or dead shoots, any shoots that are rubbing, etc.
How to Propagate Choisya
You can propagate a Choisya by taking semi-ripe wood cuttings from summer to autumn. Cut a shoot just above a leaf, about 10cm long. Cut any leaves back by half, to stop the plant from losing water. Pop the cutting into compost, ensuring any leaves are above the compost level. Put a clear bag around the pot, holding it in place with a rubber band or twine. Position out of direct sunlight, and somewhere warm.
Common Issues
Choisya shrubs aren’t particularly susceptible to pests and diseases. However, they can occasionally be bothered by issues like:
- slugs
- frost damage
- scale insects
Pick off any slugs in the evening, when they’re out and about. To avoid frost damage, keep the shrubs somewhere sheltered out of harsh weather. If they’re grown in a container, you could move them inside or in a greenhouse when there’s frost forecast.
Check on your Choisya often for infestations. Adult scales and their eggs can be removed with ease. Introducing natural predators to the garden can also be a natural remedy, like ladybirds or wasps. However, if the problem persists, you can opt for a non-organic pesticide.
Choisya FAQs
Q: Will Choisya cuttings root in water?
A: Choisya cuttings are best potted into moist seed compost and kept in a heated propagator. If warm conditions are applied, their opportunity to thrive is increased.
Q: Can Choisya be hard pruned?
A: Choisya plants can be pruned hard in spring if they get too large. They’re quite good at bouncing back.
Q: Why is my Choisya turning yellow?
A: Choisya plants can become stressed if exposed to extreme heat or cold conditions without protection. Free-draining soil is best for these plants and be sure to take care of younger plants that haven’t established themselves yet.
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