Citrus x limon 'Meyer' (Meyer's Lemon, Meyer Dwarf Lemon)


Botanical Information

FamilyRutaceae
GenusCitrus
Speciesx limon
Cultivar'Meyer'
SynonymsCitrus limonia 'Meyer's Lemon', Citrus 'Meyers', Citrus 'Meyer's Lemon'
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginThis shrub is thought to be a cross between a true lemon and either a mandarin orange or sweet orange.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The fruit is edible.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 5
Temperature (°F)35 - 40
Height2.5 - 4 m
Spread1.5 - 2.5 m
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionCitrus x limon 'Meyer' is a compact, spiny ornamental sweet citrus fruit shrub with ovate leaves and star-shaped, fragrant white flowers.
CultivationGrow in a sheltered location in full sun, in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer made specifically for citrus trees every 2 - 3 weeks during growth to aid fruit production. Not hardy: overwinter in a glasshouse in loam-based potting compost.
PestsPossible problems include: aphids, mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite, citrus red spider mite, caterpillars, soft scale and fluted scale. Xylella a bacterial disease is a serious threat to many horticultures crops due to its virulence and wide range of species it can infect. It can infect more than 560 species with wide ranging symptoms including leaf scorch, yellowing and scorching, wilt, branch and twig dieback and plant death. These symptoms can be identical to other symptoms such as drought and weather stress. Infected plants show symptoms within a few years after planting.
Notable SpecimensRHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Leaf DescriptionOvate, simple, leathery, aromatic.
Flower DescriptionStar-shaped, white, fragrant, often present with the fruit.
Fruit DescriptionSelf-fertile: a single plant will produce yellow, juicy fruit up to 8 cm across.

Photographs