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Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer Improved'

Image of Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer Improved'

Family

Rutaceae

Botanical Name

Citrus x meyeri 'Meyer Improved'

Plant Common Name

Improved Meyer Lemon, Meyer Lemon

General Description

Discovered in a Shanghai dooryard in 1908 by plant explorer Frank Meyer, this lemon/orange hybrid is a small evergreen tree with thick glossy leaves and sweet orange-yellow fruit. The cultivar 'Meyer Improved' was selected for its resistance to Tristeza virus which destroyed many Meyers lemons and cold hardiness. Its fragrant white flowers and medium-sized "lemons" appear year-round, but most abundantly in winter and early spring. It is nearly thornless.

Meyer lemon prefers full sun, well drained soil, and hot summers, and is relatively cold hardy. Its compact habit, handsome foliage, and attractive, tasty fruit make it an ideal ornamental and culinary plant for the garden or greenhouse.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • 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'-12' / 1.8m - 3.7m

  • Width

    8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • 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, Lemon Yellow

  • 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

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Houseplant, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No