FLASH SALES: discover new special offers every week!
Share your pictures? Hide split images
I have read and agree the terms and conditions of service.
New arrival

Citrus medica x aurantium Bizzarria - Bizzaria of Florence

Citrus medica x aurantium Bizzaria
Bigaradier caniculé, Oranger amer Bizzaria, Orange à sillons, Bizzarria de Florence

Be the first to leave a review

Schedule delivery date,

and select date in basket

This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

The Bizzarria is an exceptional, rare citrus born from the union of citron and bitter orange. This rather fascinating specimen stands out for its unique ability to produce lumpy, streaked and ribbed fruits that are neither oranges nor lemons, but a clever blend of both. The bush bears beautiful, bright green evergreen foliage, and its white flowering releases a delicate fragrance. Hardy down to -6/-8°C, it can be grown in a pot and overwintered away from coastal areas. This is a disease-resistant citrus.
Flavour
Sour
Height at maturity
3 m
Spread at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun
Self-fertilising
Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering time March to May
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Harvest time January to February
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Description

The Bizzarria Orange Tree or "Bizzaria of Florence" is a true botanical curiosity, as ornamental as it is fascinating. This rare citrus tree, resulting from the union between the citron tree (Citrus medica) and the bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium), stands out for its perfectly unique fruits. this elegant bush is adorned with beautiful evergreen leaves, producing sweetly scented white flowers followed by truly bizarre fruits. These qualities make it a plant of choice for decorating Mediterranean gardens or sunny terraces. This variety is hardy down to around -7°C, so it will only thrive in the ground in mild climates and sheltered gardens.

The Bizzarria Orange Tree (Citrus x aurantium 'Bizzarria') is a plant chimera resulting from the physical fusion between a bitter orange tree and a citron tree. This botanical curiosity was discovered in 1644 by a gardener in Tuscany, Italy. Graft chimeras, such as the Bizzarria, display characteristics of both parent plants on a single individual, making them particularly fascinating for botanists and collectors.

The Bizzarria has a compact yet rounded habit. In the ground, it can reach a height of 3 to 4 m and a spread of 1.5 to 2.5 m. Its growth is moderate, with an annual increase of 30 to 40 cm after the first two years of planting. Its leaves are evergreen, ovate, leathery, and glossy green. They release a pleasant fragrance when crushed, reminiscent of citrus essential oils. The white, fragrant flowers appear in spring. They are medium-sized, measuring about 2 to 3 cm in diameter, and emit a neroli-like scent characteristic of citrus trees.

The fruits of the Bizzarria are particularly remarkable due to their heterogeneous appearance. On the same tree, you may observe round, smooth fruits resembling bitter oranges, conical and pointed fruits reminiscent of the 'Florentina' citron, and fruits displaying intermediate characteristics with streaked or bumpy patterns. When ripe, the fruit colour varies from yellow to green to orange, reflecting the combination of the two parent species. The juice of the fruits is sweet and sugary, while the peel is bitter. These fruits can be used to make marmalades, bitter jams, or syrups, and the peel can pleasantly flavour savoury dishes or liqueurs.

Like all Citrus, the Bizzarria contains essential oil pockets in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, often visible to the naked eye, which can be extracted through distillation (flower and leaves) or pressing (zest) to produce essential oil.
Most citrus trees thrive in the ground in Mediterranean coastal regions, where they find the warmth they require year-round. Elsewhere, they should be grown in pots and brought indoors at the first sign of frost. Somewhat tender, the Bizzarria begins to suffer from cold at around -6°C, particularly its fruits.

The Bizzarria Orange Tree, like most citrus trees, is a self-fertile bush, meaning a single plant is sufficient for complete pollination and fruit production. However, if your citrus tree remains permanently indoors, you will occasionally need to allow pollinators to do their work or hand-pollinate with a brush.

Report an error about the product description

Citrus trees, orange trees and other citrus: how to plant and grow them in pots or in the garden
Family sheet
by Alexandra 24 min.
Citrus trees, orange trees and other citrus: how to plant and grow them in pots or in the garden
Read article

Citrus medica x aurantium Bizzarria - Bizzaria of Florence in pictures

Citrus medica x aurantium Bizzarria - Bizzaria of Florence (Foliage) Foliage
Citrus medica x aurantium Bizzarria - Bizzaria of Florence (Harvest) Harvest

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m
Spread at maturity 1.50 m
Growth rate normal

Fruit

Fruit colour two-tone
Flavour Sour
Use Jam, Cooking
Harvest time January to February

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time March to May
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 2 cm
Fragrance Very fragrant, orange flower, neroli
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Citrus

Species

medica x aurantium

Cultivar

Bizzaria

Family

Rutaceae

Other common names

Bigaradier caniculé, Oranger amer Bizzaria, Orange à sillons, Bizzarria de Florence

Botanical synonyms

Citrus x aurantium Caniculata, Citrus bizzaria, Citrus aurantium bizzaria

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference24042

Other Bitter orange - Seville orange

5
From €45.00 6L/7L pot
6
20% €39.20 €49.00 4L/5L pot

Planting and care

Planting in the ground: The Bizzarria Orange Tree prefers slightly acidic or neutral soils and does not tolerate limestone well. It is only advisable to plant it directly in the ground if you live along the Mediterranean coast. The best time for planting is early spring, in March and April. Start by watering the root ball to moisten it through capillary action. Dig a hole four to five times the volume of the root ball. If your soil is limestone-based, amend it with ericaceous soil. If it is heavy and compact, lighten it with one-third sand. Citrus trees dislike poorly draining soils, as they hate having their roots in stagnant water. Be careful not to bury the collar, then firmly tamp down the soil.

Citrus trees are naturally greedy: in all cases, enrich the soil with well-rotted compost, humus, or a "special citrus" fertiliser. Choose a sunny but not scorching spot for your bush, sheltered from the wind to prevent foliage from drying out and away from any sea spray.

Pot planting: In all other regions, Citrus trees should be planted in pots and stored in an orangery or cold greenhouse during winter, then moved outdoors once frost has passed. Pot planting or repotting should be done in late summer. Select a pot slightly larger than the root system, as citrus trees dislike feeling cramped. Moisten the root ball thoroughly. To improve drainage, line the bottom of the pot with clay pebbles. Loosen the root ball and mix two-thirds garden soil with one-third "special citrus" compost. Water generously. Opt for terracotta or breathable pots.

Citrus trees need plenty of water to thrive. Your Citrus, especially indoors, should be watered daily, and the soil must remain consistently moist. Similarly, ensure regular feeding: every six months for slow-release granular fertiliser or every three waterings for liquid fertiliser.

Planting period

Best planting time April
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Container, Greenhouse, Conservatory
Hardiness Hardy down to -9°C (USDA zone 8b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting spacing Every 200 cm
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), well-drained, fertile

Care

Pruning instructions In spring, lightly prune the new shoots with scissors or secateurs to maintain its lovely rounded habit and encourage flowering and fruit production.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May to June
Soil moisture Wet
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Needs to be stored

This item has not been reviewed yet - be the first to leave a review about it.

Leave a review →

Similar products

19
€49.00 4L/5L pot

Available in 3 sizes

5
30% €34.30 €49.00 4L/5L pot
10
33% €60.00 €89.00 4L/5L pot
3
€29.50 Ready-to-plant root ball

Available in 7 sizes

7
From €27.50 1.5L/2L pot
2
From €49.00 7.5L/10L pot

Available in 4 sizes

20
€24.50 4L/5L pot

Available in 2 sizes

Haven't found what you were looking for?