Citrus × limon (F)

Other common names

bergamot, bergamot orange, Chinese dwarf lemon, dwarf lemon, lemandarin, mandarin lime, medicinal bergamot, Meyer lemon, Otaheita rangpur, Otaheite orange, Otaite orange, rangpur, rangpur lime

Synonyms

Citrus bergamia
Citrus limon
Citrus × aurantium subsp. bergamia
Citrus limonum
Citrus × limonia
Citrus volkameriana
Citrus × meyeri

Shrubs Conservatory Greenhouse Fruit Edible

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A shrub or small tree to 4m tall, with spiny branches and oval, glossy, dark green leaves to 10cm long. From spring to summer it bears fragrant white flowers to 5cm across; these are followed by broadly ovoid, yellow fruits. Lemons are best grown in a cool or temperate greenhouse or conservatory and moved outside during the summer months. C. x limon is an ancient hybrid, derived from several wild species, and has given rise to many cultivated varieties.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen (lemon and lime-bearing Citrus only). Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
Name Status: Correct
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: This genus produces fruit, but not necessarily edible fruit
Plant Range: Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or layer in early spring. Sow seed at 16°C in spring; seedlings do not come true to type

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Edible fruit

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free