Aztec Pearl was created by Peter Moore at Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire, crossing the broader-leaved Choisya ternata with the fine-textured Arizona species Choisya dumosa var. arizonica. The result is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that reaches 7 to 8 feet tall, with narrow, fingered leaves that give it a more refined silhouette than its parent. The white flowers carry the same distinctive orange scent as the rest of the genus — the oil glands in the foliage release it too when leaves are brushed or crushed — and they produce abundant nectar that draws bees reliably.

Plant it in a sheltered spot to protect from strong winds, which can cause dieback in an otherwise unfussy plant. Zones 8 to 10 suit it best, though a warm microclimate can push the boundaries. If pruning is needed, do it after the main flush of bloom to encourage a further round of flowers. It works equally well as a specimen, massed for screening, or planted as a foundation shrub — and in a cottage or pollinator garden it earns its keep from the first warm day of late spring onward.