Choisya ‘Sundance’ – Golden Mexican Orange Blossom
Price range: €9.50 through €22.00
Frequently Bought Together
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Golden Mexican Orange Blossom
- Botanical Name: Choisya ‘Sundance’
- Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
- Mature Height: 1.5-2 metres
- Mature Spread: 1.5-2 metres
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flowering Period: April-May, often again in autumn
- Flower Colour: Pure white, sweetly fragrant
- Foliage: Bright golden-yellow, aromatic when crushed
- Hardiness: Hardy in most of Ireland and UK (RHS H5)
- Soil Requirements: Well-drained, fertile soil
- Sun Requirements: Partial shade to dappled sunlight (golden colour best protected from harsh sun)
- Maintenance: Low maintenance
Description
Prepare to fall head over heels for the most luminous member of the Choisya family! ‘Sundance’ is pure garden magic – a shrub that seems to have captured sunshine itself and woven it into every single leaf. This enchanting variety brings all the beloved characteristics of Mexican Orange Blossom but wrapped in the most glorious golden foliage that will have you smiling every time you catch sight of it.
The bright golden-yellow leaves emerge like tiny suns, creating a year-round glow that’s particularly precious during our Irish winters when colour is at a premium. Unlike some golden-leafed plants that can look harsh or artificial, ‘Sundance’ maintains a soft, natural radiance that seems to dance and shimmer with every breeze. The trifoliate leaves release that distinctive citrusy fragrance when brushed against, adding another layer of sensory delight to your garden experience.
Come late spring, this golden beauty produces the same heavenly scented white flowers that make all Choisyas so beloved. The contrast of pristine white blooms against the golden backdrop is absolutely breathtaking – like stars scattered across a sunset sky. The sweet orange-blossom perfume seems even more intense when surrounded by that glowing foliage.
What makes ‘Sundance’ particularly special is its preference for partial shade, making it perfect for brightening those trickier spots in the garden where other golden plants might struggle. It’s the ideal solution for adding year-round colour to woodland edges, beneath larger trees, or in courtyards that don’t receive full sun.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting: Unlike many golden-leafed plants, ‘Sundance’ actually prefers partial shade to dappled sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch the delicate golden foliage, while too much shade will cause it to lose its vibrant colour. Morning sun with afternoon protection is ideal.
Spacing: Allow 1.5-2 metres between plants for informal hedging, or use as a specimen where its golden glow can be appreciated. Excellent in large containers positioned in bright but sheltered spots.
Aftercare: Water regularly during establishment, then becomes reasonably drought-tolerant. Light pruning after the main flowering flush encourages that delightful second show of autumn blooms. The golden colour is most intense in spring and early summer.
Companion Planting: Stunning with purple or blue flowers – try with hardy geraniums, lavender, or campanulas. The golden foliage creates beautiful contrast with dark green plants like box or yew. Plant with white or cream spring bulbs for a sophisticated colour scheme.
Irish Climate Notes: Perfectly suited to our mild, maritime climate. The preference for partial shade makes it ideal for our often overcast conditions. Benefits from shelter in very exposed coastal locations. The golden foliage provides excellent winter interest.
Design Tips: Perfect for lighting up shady corners, excellent beneath larger trees, and wonderful for creating golden pathways through woodland areas. Use to brighten north-facing borders or courtyards where other golden plants might struggle.
Additional information
| Pot Size | 5L 30-40cm, 2L, 3L, 5L pot |
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