Choisya ternata was named to honor the Swiss Protestant clergyman and botanist, Jacques Denis Choisy, with ternata being a reference to the leaf clusters that appear in threes. A native shrub of the southwest USA and Mexico, it prefers mild winter locations in full to part sun and protection from hot afternoon sun. Its common name, Mexican Orange, refers to the orange fragrance emitted from the flowers and crushed leaves. Known for its fragrant and lovely leaves and fragrant showy white blooms in summer. It grows in shrub form 4-8 feet tall and wide and can be used as a hedge or for privacy. Plant in humusy, moist, well-drained soils and prune after flowering for possible additional blooms. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant. In areas north of zone 7, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors when temperatures drop below 14 degrees. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
