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Citrus sinensis

Image of Citrus sinensis

Forest & Kim Starr

Family

Rutaceae

Botanical Name

Citrus sinensis

Plant Common Name

Blood Orange, Naval Orange, Orange, Sweet Orange

General Description

Introduced to the West in the 16th century, this dense, globular, evergreen tree is probably native to southern China and Vietnam. Fragrant white flowers in late winter and spring (and nearly year round under favorable conditions) give rise to sweet or tangy orange-red fruit of varying sizes, textures, and flavors. Among the different types of sweet oranges are Valencias, navels, and blood oranges.

Sweet orange trees prefer full sun and well drained soil and thrive where summers are hot and winter nights are cool. Outside of the citrus grove, they may be planted as specimen trees, hedges, or in containers, with dwarf cultivars making ideal greenhouse or conservatory plants.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 9

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    9 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Fruit

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    6'-40' / 1.8m - 12.2m

  • Width

    6'-20' / 1.8m - 6.1m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Southeastern Asia, China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Fruit Color

    Orange, Orange Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Gray Green, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    Yes

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No