CHOISYA TERNATA AZTEC GOLD

Description and Characteristics

Choisya ternata 'Aztec Gold' is a compact, evergreen shrub that stands out for its finely divided, golden-yellow foliage and fragrant white flowers. A more vivid and refined cousin of ‘Sundance’, this variety combines the light, feathery foliage of ‘Aztec Pearl’ with bold gold colouration, making it a fantastic choice for adding year-round brightness to the garden.

The slender, glossy golden leaves form a neat, mounding shape and offer a soft citrus scent when rubbed. In late spring, the plant is covered in clusters of white, star-like flowers that are lightly scented and may be followed by a second flush in late summer to early autumn.

Growing to about 1.2–1.5 m tall and wide, Choisya 'Aztec Gold' is ideal for borders, informal hedging, courtyard planting, or as a specimen in containers. It’s an excellent way to add colour, fragrance, and evergreen structure to a sunny or lightly shaded spot.

• Evergreen shrub with bright golden-yellow, finely cut foliage

• Produces scented white flowers in spring and often again in autumn

• Height & spread: 1.2–1.5 m

• Neat, rounded habit with year-round colour and texture

• A perfect choice for sunny borders, small gardens, and modern plantings

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Choisya ternata 'Aztec Gold' is easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and well-suited to a range of garden conditions. It is low-maintenance, requiring just light pruning to keep its shape.

• Light Requirements:

  • Thrives in full sun to partial shade

  • Best foliage colour in full sun

  • Tolerates light shade but gold tones may appear more lime-green

• Soil Preferences:

  • Grows in well-drained, fertile soil

  • Suitable for loam, chalk, or sandy soil

  • pH adaptable: prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils

• Watering Needs:

  • Water well during the first season to establish roots

  • Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant

  • In containers, water regularly during dry spells

• Feeding:

  • Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in early spring

  • Topdress annually with compost or well-rotted organic matter

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and promote bushiness

  • Remove any dead or leggy growth in early spring

  • Very responsive to pruning and can be rejuvenated if needed

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy in Zones 7–10 (RHS H4–H5)

  • Evergreen in most of the UK and Ireland

  • Protect from cold, drying winds and severe frost in exposed locations

Garden Uses, Companion Plants, and Wildlife Value

Choisya 'Aztec Gold' offers structure, colour, and fragrance, making it a versatile choice for many garden styles. Its compact size and year-round interest make it especially useful in modern, low-maintenance or urban settings.

• Design Applications:

  • Perfect for front-of-border plantings, informal hedges, or courtyard gardens

  • Ideal for pots and raised beds due to its compact, tidy form

  • A great choice for coastal gardens and city landscapes

• Companion Plants:

  • Combines well with purple-leaved plants like Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’, Heuchera ‘Obsidian’, or Cotinus coggygria

  • Complements Mediterranean-style plants like Lavandula, Santolina, or Salvia

  • Works well with silver-foliage plants like Artemisia or Convolvulus cneorum

• Container Use:

  • Excellent for patio pots or large planters

  • Use a peat-free, well-drained compost with added grit

  • Feed annually and water regularly in warm weather

• Pollinator Benefits:

  • Flowers attract bees and hoverflies, especially in spring

  • Dense foliage offers shelter to insects and small birds

  • A great addition to pollinator-friendly planting schemes

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally pest- and disease-free

  • Rarely affected by aphids or leaf spot—treat with pruning or organic sprays if needed

  • Good air circulation helps maintain healthy foliage

• Size
  3 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.