Choisya Ternata Care Guide: How to Grow Choisya Ternata

Choisya Ternata Care

Choisya shrubs are easy to grow and care for. Once established they require little in the way of care and attention and will reward you with abundant flowers and glossy foliage year after year.

Light requirements

The positioning of your plant will depend on its variety. Some will tolerate more shade than others so check the details of the variety you choose. Always position your shrub in a spot that is sheltered from strong winter winds.

Water requirements

In the first year, make sure your shrub does not dry out. Once established, Choisya is a drought resistant shrub and will usually look after itself. They will only need watering during prolonged dry spells. In periods of drought, a thorough soaking weekly will suit them perfectly.

Soil requirements

Choisya is happy growing in loam, chalk, sand or clay. They do not require a very rich soil to grow either. The only thing that they cannot tolerate is waterlogged soil as this will cause the roots to rot.

Fertilizer requirements

In many cases, your Choisya will not require any fertiliser. In very poor soil you may like to add a handful of blood, fish and bone before planting and then again, each spring. Very heavy or waterlogged soil should have some well-rotted manure and horticultural grit dug in before planting.

Planting

You can plant your Choisya at any time of year as long as the soil is not frozen. If you plant it during a very dry period be prepared to water your shrub regularly until it is well established, so don’t plant it just before you go on holiday!

Ideally, plant the shrub in mid-March to April or mid-September to October as at these times the weather is mild but not too hot and the natural rainfall will usually be enough to get them established. If planted at these times you can usually just put them in and forget about them.

Choose a spot that has enough sun for the variety you have chosen and that is protected from strong winds. Allow enough space for them to grow to their full height and spread bearing in mind that some varieties have a spread of 2.5 metres (8 feet).

If the soil is poor, dig in some well-rotted manure before planting. If the soil is waterlogged dig in some well-rotted manure or plenty of horticultural grit to improve drainage.

Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball. Add any fertiliser or grit required. You can also add a handful of blood, fish and bone at this stage to get your shrub off to a good start. Place the plant in the hole so that it is at the same depth as in the pot. Backfill around the roots and firm the soil to remove any air pockets. Water well to settle the soil around the roots.

If you are planting a choisya in a pot its advisable to choose one of the more compact varieties and plant it in a fairly large pot to accommodate plenty of root growth. It will need a good soaking, preferably with rain water, once a week.

Maintenance

When the plants are young, weeding around them will keep them healthy. Once they are larger they will crowd out any weeds themselves. An annual mulch around the shrub will also help keep the weeds at bay as well as retaining moisture. Keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the plants stem to avoid rotting.

If you need to move your shrub some care should be taken to make sure you do not damage the roots too much. Damage to the roots can mean the plant struggles to get enough water and nutrients. The best solution is to prune the shrub back in June so that there is less top growth for the plant to support and then move it in autumn. Try to dig up as much of the root ball as possible though if the plant is large you may not be able to get all the roots. Add a little blood fish and bone to the new hole to help the plant recover and keep it well watered if the weather is dry.

Plant grown in containers may need some extra winter protection as they are more susceptible to frost damage. Place the plant in a sheltered position such as an open porch or in a sheltered corner. You can also protect your shrub with bubble wrap around the pots to keep the roots cosy. If you put your plant under cover remember to water, it regularly over winter. In extreme conditions, you can move the pot into a shed, greenhouse, or even a garage for a week or two.

Repotting

You should repot your choisya when its roots fill the existing pot. Choose a container that is large enough to accommodate a good amount of root growth. This will also mean in requires less frequent watering and will also help to protect the roots during cold spells

Looks good with

Choisya ternata is a versatile shrub that looks good in both an urban garden or a more cottage style scheme. The leaves and flowers are scented, and the aroma of the leaves is released as you brush past it. Combined with other fragrant plants or herbs this would make a good choice for around a path or seating area.

This shrub is also a useful addition to a mixed border as it adds height, structure and winter interest. ‘Sundance’ is particularly good in a warm, bright border surrounded by other sunshine loving plants. The shrub looks good in a coastal style garden and will tolerate salty conditions as long as it is not too exposed to sea breezes.

Pruning advice

These shrubs do not really require pruning. However, if you do want to prune them to keep them to a certain size it’s best to do this immediately after the major flowering period is over, usually around mid-June. You can cut it back to around half its size. You may also like to cut back some of the woody stems from the centre of the shrub which will encourage fresh new growth. A sprinkle of blood, fish and bone will help the plant recover after pruning.