Mexican Orange Blossom, also commonly known as choisya or simply Mexican Orange, is a native US shrub that prefers milder winters. Even established shrubs are not very cold-hardy, making it necessary to overwinter Mexican Orange Blossom in colder climates.
The evergreen shrubs are suited to US hardiness zones 7-10. They can handle temperatures around 25-30ºF but only tolerate brief drops in temperature down to 5-10ºF. If you live in colder zones and want to enjoy the fragrant foliage and flowers year after year, then you may need to shield plants in the ground, or give shrubs in containers shelter from the winter cold.
You may like
How to Winterize Mexican Orange Blossom: Consider Placement First and Foremost
Fernanda Varela, a designer from Seattle Sustainable Landscapes, says the ‘best protection’ for Mexican Orange Blossom starts with placement, so consider your winter climate when landscaping with evergreens.
‘Plants tucked into south- or west-facing corners and pockets, near hardscape or architecture that radiates warmth, tend to make it through the winter quite well,’ says the experienced designer. ‘While those set in exposed yards or breezy corridors need extra buffering.’
If you have younger plants, an exposed garden, or cold winters, this guidance for overwintering plants is relevant. In colder climates, at the extremes of the plant’s tolerance, it may mean growing the plant in containers and moving them indoors for winter, where the assistance of a plant caddy with wheels like this on Amazon may prove useful.
How to Overwinter Mexican Orange Blossom in the Ground
(Image credit: Wirestock/Getty Images)
When you put good consideration into planting Mexican Orange Blossom in protected spots in your yard, it will reduce the need for extra measures to shield the evergreen shrub from cold and winds. However, even those planted in sheltered areas may need some attention ahead of extreme cold snaps.
The two main ways to overwinter Mexican Orange Blossom are to mulch around plants to protect the roots and wrap the shrubs as required to insulate them against plummeting temperatures.
Mulching will insulate the roots against freezing temperatures and prevent any damage caused by constant freeze–thaw cycles over winter. Fernanda Varela describes it as an ‘impactful measure’ for winter, and adds: ‘A thick layer of compost or bark stabilizes the root zone, limits moisture loss, and sets the plant up for healthier spring growth.’
The best types of mulch to use on Mexican Orange Blossom are compost or bark chippings, like this premium organic mulch on Amazon. Nastya Vasylchyshyna, a botany expert from the Plantum app, recommends. ‘For the best results, apply a three to four-inch-thick layer of mulch. Anything less than two inches won’t be effective.’
You may like
Ahead of the temperatures dropping to dangerous levels for the shrub, you can head out into the yard and cover plants to prevent damage, and it needn’t be regarded as a tricky job.
‘During true cold snaps, treating protection as creating a temporary microclimate: a simple burlap windbreak or a loose drape of frost cloth (such as this frost cover at Walmart) is often all it takes to soften freezing winds and manage temperature swings,’ recommends Fernanda.
When wrapping plants for winter, always use breathable materials and avoid using plastic. The covering needs to be secured in place with string or jute, but not tied so tightly that it risks crushing the foliage underneath.
Fernanda Varela
Social Links Navigation
Landscape Designer
Fernanda is a designer with Seattle Sustainable Landscapes who graduated from the University of Washington’s Landscape Architecture department. She has always known she had a passion and eye for design, and later discovered her niche in residential landscape design through her time in school. Growing up in the PNW, she had always held a great appreciation for the outdoors. Designing using natural, living elements and creating beautiful spaces for people’s experience is her favorite part of her job.
How to Overwinter Mexican Orange Blossom in Containers
(Image credit: Trevor Chriss/Alamy Stock Photo)
Smaller, more compact varieties of Mexican Orange Blossom can be enjoyed in container gardens. You need to protect these pots and planters from frost in colder climates to ensure they survive the winter months, as shrubs are particularly susceptible when growing in pots.
‘Potted plants are more vulnerable to adverse weather conditions,’ explains Nastya Vasylchyshyna. ‘Therefore, it’s crucial to protect them before the frost hits. The best option would be moving the pots to a cool, sheltered spot, such as a balcony, shed, or a garage.’
A sheltered spot for a pot-grown Mexican Orange Blossom does not always necessarily mean bringing it indoors for winter.
You can overwinter the Mexican Orange Blossom in containers outside by placing them against a warm wall and moving the pots together during winter. Your potted plants can benefit from a microclimate that traps heat between the congregated containers and shelters the plants from cold winds.
‘To keep the roots warm, insulate the pot with bubble wrap, burlap, or non-woven garden fabric,’ adds Nastya. You can get rolls of burlap at Walmart to wrap potted plants for winter.
For extra protection, she adds: ‘You can also cover the pot with straw and wrap it with burlap or non-woven garden fabric afterwards for better insulation.’
To ensure pots drain freely over winter, it is advisable to lift the pots off the floor using bricks or pot feet for container plants, such as these invisible pot feet on Amazon. This allows water to drain freely and prevents root rot, while also stopping water from collecting underneath and freezing solid in winter, which can harm the plant’s roots and damage containers.
Water the container sparingly over the winter to prevent overwatering and waterlogging, and refrain from feeding Mexican Orange Blossom between mid-fall and early spring.
Nastya Vasylchyshyna
Social Links Navigation
Botany Expert
Nastya is a professional botany expert for the Plantum app that helps identify plants and plant diseases and provides care recommendations. Her specialization is plant morphology, phytopathology, and plant physiology.
Fernanda Varela from Seattle Sustainable Landscapes offers one final and potentially important piece of advice for overwintering Mexican Orange Blossom. She warns: ‘Wet snow can weigh down evergreen branches, so gently clearing it off keeps the structure intact.’
Take heed of that suggestion and remove snow from plants when it accumulates. It is best to act quickly after heavy snowfall and gently brush heavy snow from shrubs with a broom (such as this extendable long handle broom at Walmart) or your hands.
You want to remove the snow before it freezes, as once it gets iced onto the branches, you need to wait for it to thaw rather than try to remove it, which risks damaging the brittle branches.
Overwintering Essentials
These pot covers can protect the roots of shrubs from frost. Made of quality cloth and aluminum film, a drawstring makes them easy to put on and take off.
This roll of bubble wrap can be used to insulate Mexican Orange Blossom shrubs in pots. It will help keep the roots warm and protect plants from frost.
This 12 lbs bag of organic Aspen bark mulch can be used around outdoor Mexican Orange Blossom shrubs to insulate the roots against freezing temperatures.
Comments are closed.