Overview
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' is a plant with a rounded, bushy habit in the genus Choisya, part of the Rutaceae family, with evergreen, aromatic, three-fingered leaves foliage. Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include mixed borders, informal hedges, foundation planting, large containers and low-maintenance front gardens.
About
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' is a rounded, bushy cultivar of Choisya, a genus of aromatic evergreen shrubs in the Rutaceae family. Like other Mexican orange plants, it features three-fingered, aromatic evergreen leaves. It thrives best in sheltered, south- or west-facing positions with moderate soil moisture and can tolerate a range of soil types and pH levels. Hardy to UK zone H5, this cultivar is suitable for mixed borders, informal hedges, foundation planting, large containers, and low-maintenance front gardens.
About the genus
Choisya is a small genus of aromatic evergreen shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as Mexican orange due to the similarity of their flowers to those of the closely related orange, both in shape and scent. They are native to southern North America, from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south through most of Mexico.
Wikipedia contributors, "Choisya", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Choisya
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Choisya
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Chalk, Sand, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moderate
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Rounded, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Aromatic, Three-fingered leaves
- Suggested uses
- Mixed borders, Informal hedges, Foundation planting, Large containers, Low-maintenance front gardens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'
- Propagation
- Semi-ripe cuttings in summer, Layering in autumn
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'?
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' need?
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including clay, chalk, sand and loam. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moderate.
Is Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' hardy in the UK?
Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Choisya dewitteana 'Aztec Pearl'?
Semi-ripe cuttings in summer, Layering in autumn.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.