Choisya ternata Snow Flurries - Mexican Orange Blossom

The Mexican Orange Snow Flurries is a recent English creation, with a remarkably compact and upright habit, but above all, an abundant flowering of large, scented white pompoms. The flowers appear in April and May, in terminal umbels, and almost completely cover the beautifully cut foliage of the Choisya. Resistant to drought once established, fairly hardy and easy to maintain, this small evergreen bush will find its place in most gardens, but will also brighten up a terrace or balcony thanks to its modest size. 

Originally from the southwest United States, and as its name suggests, from Mexico, Choisya ternata belongs to a small subfamily of evergreen bushes, of which it holds the record for hardiness. It belongs to the citrus family, Rutaceae, but is distinguished by the nature of its fruit in the form of capsules. The variety Snow Flurries was selected by the British Sir Petter Catt. More compact than the natural species, this small Choisya measures at most 1.5m (4ft 11in) in height with an almost equivalent spread. Its compact and rounded habit gives it a naturally elegant appearance. Its upright branches are covered with evergreen foliage, decorative all year round. The leaves of Choisyas ternata are a glossy bright green, highly cut, composed of 3 ovate leaflets, more or less long and thin depending on the varieties. They give off a pleasant orange scent when touched. Choisya Snow Flurries lives up to its name. Indeed, this extremely floriferous dwarf shrub exhibits a spectacular white and scented flowering, reminiscent of a snow shower. In April and May, it almost disappears behind a multitude of opulent white balls. A second, less spectacular flowering is usually observed in August to the delight of gardeners. This late flowering pleasantly contrasts with the long-cut foliage of this small Choisya, which is now clearly visible. The flower buds are pale pink, then open into small white star-shaped flowers with a diameter of 3cm (1.2in), reminiscent of orange flowers in appearance and scent. These are small single flowers, with 5 petals spaced apart, grouped in terminal umbels to form imposing floral bouquets with a heady scent.

Despite its origins, Choisya is hardy as it can withstand temperatures down to -15°. It appreciates warm and sunny positions but can also find its place in partial shade, always sheltered from strong winds. Plant the Mexican Orange Snow Flurries in a rich, light and well-drained soil, ideally slightly acidic but it can still tolerate weakly calcareous soils. At planting, line the hole with gravel or clay pellets and plant it in a mixture of potting soil and garden soil enriched with organic amendment. Water regularly for the first two years after planting and apply a complete fertilizer every year in spring to boost flowering. For the first two years after planting, protect the bush from the cold with a good layer of mulch, or even a winter cover in case of severe frosts. If you live in a cold region, you will need to repeat this operation every year. The Mexican Orange Snow Flurries can be used as a low hedge shrub as it responds well to pruning. You should carry out this pruning after flowering, which will also remove faded flowers and promote a second flowering. If your Choisya has suffered from the cold during winter, prune dead or damaged branches in March-April. Resistant to diseases, tolerant to drought once established and low-maintenance, Choisya Snow Flurries is an easy-to-care-for shrub that offers good results with minimal maintenance!

The modest size of the Mexican Orange Snow Flurries allows it to be grown in a container to decorate and flower a terrace or balcony. Remember to water it regularly during the growing season to prevent the soil from drying out. In the garden, this small Choisya will find its place in a flowering hedge or a border, among other shrubs. For a harmony of colors and foliage, you can associate it with a Japanese Spirea ‘Anthony Waterer’, a Weigela ‘Bristol Ruby’ or even an Abelia grandiflora ‘Confetti’. In a small garden, Choisya Snow Flurries can be planted as a focal point to showcase its exceptional flowering and decorative foliage.