I'm growing "regular" Choisya, and I SHOULD have put it in shade if I didn't want it to scorch and have to put out new, healthier leaves that could handle full sun. I saw the "regular" plant in Yorkshire in fairly dense shade there, and also in full sun (well, as much full sun as they get there). It was about twice lavender-sized in the full-sun bed, and it was ENORMOUS in shade--maybe 8 feet tall by 8 feet wide? I know that 'Sundance' (ironic name, huh?) needs to be grown in at least some shade to do well, but if you are in the foggy part of the Bay Area, you could probably safely put it in full sun. Bay Area "full sun" (non-fog area) is about equivalent to light shade in high-altitude low-humidity Northern Nevada.

Hi Karen,

I am getting ready to plant 3 along the side of my garage in my front. It was recommended to me by our local nursery gal. For me it will be on the east and filtered by a japanese maple. It is supposed to be a to die for scent. It will definitely have shade here, but my zone 9 and yours are very different. Clayton is next to Concord, but it can feel like the Sacramento valley sometimes. Marin is obviously more coastal so you can probably take a little more sun. Bright shade sounds about right. I'll be getting mine within the next month or so. Let me know how you do.

Julie

Well, I want to put mine in an area which I fear is almost too shady--bright, dappled shade for a few hours in the mornings, but then darkening shade as the sun moves. I was hoping it would grow taller in those conditions--to hide a white-trellis covered fence at the back. I'm thinking to get a 5 gallon one, so it's already on its way.

But I already tried some curly pittosporum back there, & it's too dark for them; they're languishing. I'm appreciating the input.

I have the regular Choisya ternata as a foundation planting in front of the house. -They get about 3 hours of sun and no irrigation and are just unbelievably happy. The only thing I do for them is prune them a bit from time to time to keep them in bounds and encourage growth from the inside. Mine bloom spectacularly in the spring and then have a secondary, less spectacular bloom in late summer/early fall. -Do you know your Sunset Zone? I am in Zone 17, and I have read that Zone 17 is a particularly happy one for Choisya ternata.

I do not understand the reason for planting in the shade. Mine is on the south wall of a brick house in Calistoga, not known for cool foggy summers. I have at least six plants 10 years old and 5 feet high. My wife regularly wacks them back as they encoach on the path. They are on a drip system and have never sunburned. These were propagated and put into the nursery trade by Saratoga Hortacultural Foundation. I propagate a few each year to donate to club plant sales. Al

My point is that I *need* a plant for this shady spot I stare at from my living room--at the rear of my garden-- all overgrown when not winter with an old apple tree & various stuff across the fence. I want an evergreen, prefer chartreuse, to lighten it up in there & yet don't want to make yet another mistake of choosing a plant which won't be happy in the shade & grow spindly because of it.

That's the scoop.

Karen

I really think it will do fine considering I saw the "regular" Choisya growing in English shade--the spot was pretty darned dark every time I walked past it, and I went past it several times.

Go for it Karen! Live dangerously!

;)
Julie

I probably will go for it! I'm in z 17 [I think?]. A local nursery is having a huge sale next weekend, and I'm trying to prepare my list of what I want ahead of time, as the place [growing grounds] gets crazy with rushing people trying to tag the plants they want! I wish they had some one gallons of this plant, as I have other places for it without as much digging room. I'm growing a few Niobe clematis from babyhood, and evenually envision them growing through the Choisya Sundance! Mmmm... Chartreuse and deep burgundy!!

Thanks to all.

Karen

Hi to all you Choisya plant owners,

Looking for the names of nurseries who carry the Choisya "Sundance" Any help. I'm in Northern California, will travel for them. Want larger than 1 gallon if possible. thanks all.

Rob

I just retured from France where my son who lives in the southwest, the perigord region, has Choisya ternata planted in the shade of a large Poplar tree and it looks good but is a light bloomer. Al

Hi Karen,
I would suggest that you not use Choisya t. 'Sundance' in a spot that you already believe is too shady for alot of the more common shade tolerant shrubs. In my experience, the Sundance form will get leggy in a too shady spot. If you have to have the chartreuse foliage effect, it will be difficult to get an exact match, but would you consider Aucuba japonica variegata? This shrub will take deep shade with no problems, and will also lighten up a dark spot. You might also consider Eleagnus x ebbingei 'Gilt Edge', which has gold highlights to the leaf, and will also do very well as a screen shrub in deep shade.

My experience with Choisya t. 'Sundance' is that it is a much better looking shrub if it is given full sun to light shade, and here in the East Bay Area Oakland/Berkeley area it does great in full sun, although that heat wave in July(?) did burn some of the new growth, but it quickly outgrew it. Sundance can easily get 8 feet tall by across if not pruned smaller. I know that most people say this is a fragrant plant, but I don't find the flower's fragrance particularly noticeable or nice, just so so...

David's recommendation of Aucuba reminded me that my neighbor has that in a dark area of her backyard thriving along with Impatiens oliveri, which grows fast to 5-6 ft. and spreads easily (but is easy to pull out, and easy to propagate from cuttings -- just stick them in the ground and keep moist). It likes regular water and is tender, though -- has died back to the roots in cold snaps, then has taken a year to recover. It's evergreen and has light pink flowers in clusters at the tops of stems.

Another possibility for deep shade, which I have not grown, is Berberis/Mahonia 'Golden Abundance', a native barberry that has especially showy flower clusters.

Does anyone know where I can buy Choisya ternata? I live in San Jose, CA