Mexican Orange Blossom Choisya × dewitteana Goldfingers = 'Limo' (PBR)
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ABOUT
Choisya × dewitteana Goldfingers, commonly known as Mexican Orange 'Goldfingers', is characterized by its golden to lime green foliage. It features delicate, narrow leaves which are aromatic when crushed, emitting a pleasant fragrance often compared to that of oranges. The plant bears clusters of white, star-shaped flowers that bloom profusely in late spring and often again in the autumn, adding a delightful contrast to the brightly colored foliage. The overall appearance of Goldfingers is lush and the combination of the striking leaf color and fragrant blooms makes it a standout specimen in the garden. It maintains a dense, bushy habit, providing year-round interest due to its evergreen nature. The texture of the foliage is glossy, adding a touch of shine to its surroundings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rutaceae.
Synonyms
Mexican Orange 'Limo', Mexican Orange Blossom 'Limo', Goldfingers Mexican Orange.
Common names
Choisya × dewitteana 'Limo' (PBR).
ToxicityTo humans
Mexican Orange Blossom is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it may cause mild irritation or an allergic reaction in some individuals due to skin contact with the sap or following ingestion. If ingested, the most likely reaction would be stomach upset including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you suspect poisoning, seek medical attention.
To pets
Mexican Orange Blossom is also considered non-toxic to pets. Similarly to humans, if a pet were to ingest part of the plant, the most likely symptoms would be mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. While it is generally safe, it is always best to prevent pets from eating plants as individual reactions can vary. If any symptoms arise after ingestion, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Spread
4 feet (1.22 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Choisya 'Goldfingers' offers vibrant golden-yellow foliage, adding a splash of color to gardens and landscapes.
- Easy Maintenance: This plant is known for being low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is reasonably tolerant to drought, making it suitable for regions with water scarcity.
- Pest Resistance: Choisya 'Goldfingers' is generally resistant to common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Fragrant Flowers: The plant produces aromatic white flowers in spring, providing a pleasant fragrance to the outdoor space.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Evergreen Foliage: As an evergreen, Choisya 'Goldfingers' provides year-round interest, keeping gardens lively even in winter.
- Compact Size: It naturally grows to a manageable size, making it suitable for small gardens or as part of mixed borders.
- Versatility: This plant can be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders to containers, or as a standalone specimen.
- Hardiness: Choisya 'Goldfingers' is relatively hardy, able to withstand cold temperatures in many climates.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Screen or Partition: Plant multiple specimens of Choisya 'Goldfingers' in a row to create a natural, vibrant screen or partition in a garden or outdoor space.
- Topiary or Sculpture: Train Choisya 'Goldfingers' into topiary shapes or living sculptures for a unique ornamental feature in themed gardens or formal landscapes.
- Culinary Garnish: Use the delicate blooms of Choisya 'Goldfingers' as an edible garnish for special dishes, provided they have not been treated with pesticides.
- Bath Sachets: Dry the flowers and leaves of Choisya 'Goldfingers' and create fragrant bath sachets for a calming, aromatic bathing experience.
- Fragrance Extraction: Utilize Choisya 'Goldfingers' flowers for the extraction of essential oils or natural fragrances for use in homemade perfumes or diffusers.
- Photography Background: The bright foliage and blossoms of Choisya 'Goldfingers' can serve as an attractive backdrop for plant or garden photography.
- Color Dye: Experiment with using the petals of Choisya 'Goldfingers' to create natural dyes for fabrics or art projects.
- Wedding Decor: Incorporate Choisya 'Goldfingers' branches and flowers into wedding decorations for centerpieces, bouquets, or venue adornments.
- Creative Pressed Flower Art: Press the blooms and leaves of Choisya 'Goldfingers' to use in crafting pressed flower art or decorative bookmarks.
- Festive Wreaths: Use the lush foliage and flowers of Choisya 'Goldfingers' to create festive wreaths for holidays or special occasions.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiMexican Orange Blossom is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityMexican Orange Blossom is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: Due to the intense brightness of its golden leaves, Goldfingers Mexican Orange lends a symbolic association with purity and brightness.
- Optimism: The vivid yellow-green foliage is often connected to a cheerful and optimistic outlook, much like the way sunshine infuses positivity in our day.
- Innovation: The 'Limo' variety, being a newer hybrid, symbolizes innovation, creativity, and the coming together of different elements to create something unique.
- Renewal: With its lush growth and refreshing citrus fragrance, Goldfingers Mexican Orange often represents renewal and the freshness of new beginnings.
- Warmth: The warm hue of the plant's foliage can symbolize warmth and comfort, offering a sense of welcoming and hospitality in landscapes or gardens.
WaterMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. This could generally mean providing water roughly once a week during the growing season, but this can vary depending on temperature, humidity, and soil conditions. During the winter or cooler months, reduce watering to every two to three weeks. When watering, aim for about 1-2 gallons per plant, ensuring the water penetrates the soil to reach the root zone without waterlogging the soil. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so it's crucial to ensure good drainage.
LightMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal location would offer bright, indirect light for most of the day with some direct sun. Planting it in a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade can help protect it from the intense heat of the late day. Avoid placing it in deep shade, as this can result in fewer flowers and a less dense foliage display.
TemperatureMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' is hardy in a range of temperatures but performs best when the temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. It is important to protect the plant from temperatures below 20°F, as it may suffer from frost damage. Although it can withstand occasional dips in temperature, prolonged cold can be detrimental to its health and growth.
PruningTo maintain shape and encourage bushier growth, Mexican Orange 'Goldfingers' should be pruned in early spring before new growth begins. Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming. Pruning can be done annually, with additional light trimming after a heavy flowering period if the plant becomes untidy. The best time for major pruning is immediately after the plant has finished blooming.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter. The ideal pH range for this plant is between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix of loam, peat, and sharp sand will provide the right structure and nutrients for healthy growth.
RepottingMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' should be repotted every two to three years to ensure it has enough room to grow and to refresh the soil. The best time to repot is in the spring before new growth begins.
Humidity & MistingMexican Orange 'Goldfingers' prefers moderate humidity conditions. It can tolerate some variation, but avoiding extremely high or low humidity environments is best for the health of the plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and protect from drafts.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, partial shade to full sun.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleChoisya × dewitteana Goldfingers, commonly known as Mexican Orange 'Goldfingers', begins its life cycle when the seeds germinate, typically in a warm and moist environment. The young seedling then develops roots and shoots, gradually forming a small shrub with characteristic golden-yellow foliage. As the plant matures, it undergoes vegetative growth, increasing in size and branching out to produce more leaves and eventually forming the distinctive thin, finger-like leaflets. During the spring, usually around April to May, 'Goldfingers' reaches the flowering stage, producing fragrant star-shaped white blossoms that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers may develop into seed capsules, but propagation is more commonly achieved through semi-hardwood cuttings for maintaining the desirable characteristics of this cultivar. The plant then continues its cycle with seasonal growth and dormancy periods, typically marked by a decline in growth during the colder months, until it eventually reaches senescence after several years.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Choisya × dewitteana Goldfingers, commonly known as 'Mexican Orange Blossom' or 'Goldfingers', is most popularly propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method typically takes place during the late summer months. To propagate, a gardener should select healthy, semi-ripe stems and cut sections approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long. The cuttings should have several leaf nodes, and the lower leaves must be removed. The base of the cutting is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and placed in a pot containing a mix of sand and peat or a similar well-draining propagation medium. The cuttings should be kept moist and in a warm environment with indirect sunlight until roots have developed, which can take several weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be transferred to individual pots and grown on before being planted out in the garden.
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