Quick Guide: spring, hardy, full sun, height: 30m/100ft, width: 18m/60ft

The Mexican orange blossom, Choisya terrzata, is one of the most accommodating of evergreens. An attractively rounded shrub, its three-part leaves are a dark glossy green and give off a pungent aromatic scent when crushed. A multitude of white, sweet-scented flowers appear in late spring. There are no named varieties.

GROWING Plant in spring in any type of well-drained soil. Full sun is best but semi-shade is tolerated. In cold districts it is best to site plants against a warm, sunny wall. No regular pruning is required, but any frost-damaged leaves or shoots should be cut out in early spring. As soon as flowering is over, cut out any straggly shoots.

PROPAGATION Take 7.5cm/3in cuttings of half-ripe lateral shoots in late summer and place in a peat/sand mixture at 16°C/61°F. When rooted, pot up the cuttings singly and overwinter in a cold frame. Pot on in the spring, set outdoors and plant out the following spring. In cold areas, transfer the pots to a cold frame over winter.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Frost damage; honey fungus.