Choisya 'Lissbrid' SCENTED GEM Mexican orange blossom

SCENTED GEM is a Mexican orange blossom variety whose name is no exaggeration: it is highly fragrant and truly a jewel. It originated as a selection of previous cultivars and was bred by Peter Catt from Liss Forest Nursery Ltd in Hampshire in England. It was first introduced at the French Salon du Végétal trade fair in 2017, and the following year it ranked second in the "Best Ornamental Variety" competition of the prestigious English magazine Horticulture Week (established in 1840, the second oldest after the Curtis's Botanical Magazine). The cultivar is protected under European patent no. 59035 from 2021.

SCENTED GEM choisya has something from both its forerunners – the cultivars Aztec Pearl and White Dazzler. The first to notice is its semi-rounded habit and dense growth even at a young age. It bears evergreen, medium green, and very glossy leaves which are divided into palmate, elongated, and narrowly lance-shaped leaflets. When crushed, the leaves release a pronounced, spicy aroma, but they are not meant for culinary use. From late April to early June, it produces a profusion of star-shaped, 5-petalled flowers. They are white but open from pink buds which is why its provisional name was Pink Bud. They are decorated with yellow stamens at their centers, and release a strong and sweet fragrance. Both their scent and structure are reminiscent of orange blossoms, which is why this plant is called Mexican orange blossom in English. Late in summer, it reblooms and continues to open its flowers till the last sunny and warm days of autumn.

It is still a relatively new cultivar, so its mature height cannot yet be definitively stated. However, based on its growth so far, the breeder estimates it will reach about 1.5 meters in height and width in a beautifully domed shape. Thanks to its unique leaf structure, Mexican orange blossom is ideal as a specimen shrub for representative spots and is also great in mixed borders among other evergreen shrubs of contrasting foliage and habit. It can also be used for exclusive, informal hedges. Being evergreen makes it perfect for planting in areas you frequently visit or see, even outside the growing season—such as near French windows in living rooms, along entrances, or in front of office buildings, where it provides lovely greenery year-round.

The strong winter hardiness of hybrid Choisya in Europe likely came as a surprise even to the breeder of the original hybrid. Dutch growers discovered it after several unusually harsh winters post-2010. While other commonly grown evergreens such as laurels and photinias, which are also cultivated here, suffered severe damage, Choisya plants remained completely unaffected by frost, even at -23 °C. We ourselves have tested their remarkable resistance to winter sunlight, which doesn’t scorch their leaves. The foliage remains beautifully lush and green throughout the year. Old leaves only drop after several years, keeping the shrub dense and opaque, which has led to its use in highly attractive and uniquely foliaged hedges.

Mexican orange blossom is best grown in the same way as sun-loving rhododendrons. It has shallow roots and thrives in acidic, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil, preferring dryness over wet conditions. It will not survive in heavy clay or water-retentive soil. We strongly recommend planting it with mycorrhiza (root fungi), which ensures good root establishment and nutrition, particularly during the first critical months after planting. Once established after the first year, it requires minimal or virtually zero care. SCENTED GEM has so far been tested for hardiness down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6) and further trials continue.

Last update 27-04-2025