Variegated Calamondin Orange

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering can be reduced after establishment. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Pruning time: winter.

All citrus trees are the perfect combination of ornamental and edible plant values, but dwarf citrus are even more versatile because they fit in limited spaces. Make this naval orange a single accent tree in gardens were fragrance can be appreciated close up. Add to foundation planting outside a window. If low foliage is left in place these double as a background foliage plant for more colorful shrubs and tropicals. Integrate into existing beds and borders. Variegation and fragrant flowers plus bright fruit make this an outstanding small tree for large terra cotta pots in the Italian style that may be moved for winter protection in marginal areas.

Grow this orange with tropical appearing plants such as Rainbow Surprise Mirror Plant (Coprosma x 'Rainbow Surprise'), Festival Grass Cordyline, (Cordyline x 'Jurred') and Red Leafed Banana, (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'). It's also equally at home with a drier Mediterranean palette such as Provance English Lavender, (Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'), BBQ Rosemary, (Rosmarinus officinalis 'BBQ') and Sun Stripe Variegated Pampas Grass, (Cortaderia selloana 'Monvin').

Calamondin oranges are considered ornamental oranges developed as the result of an Asiatic cross between the Mandarin orange, Citrus reticulata and the kumquat, Fortunella margarita. Its use is primarily in the manufacture of a beverage and in marmalade. Except for the citron that was known in Roman times, the genus Citrus can be tracked back to the land of its origin: Southeast Asia, India, southern China and Malaysia. Arab traders were the first to bring oranges out of Asia and in the 12 century they introduced the orange into Spain. From there it was imported into colonies in Florida and California.

This Calamondin Orange is an ornamental plant but it can be used to create jams and marmalade, and a sour lemonade drink, but is not sweet enough eat fresh.