Murraya Paniculata 'Min A Min'

Dwarf Mock Orange / Dwarf Orange Jessamine / Dwarf Chinese Box

Botanical Name: Murraya paniculata 'Min A Min'
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: South & Southeast Asia to northern Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

A compact, dwarf Mock Orange that’s tailor-made for Adelaide and South Australian gardens where neat, low hedges shine. ‘Min A Min’ has tiny, glossy leaves and a naturally tight, bushy habit that clips beautifully. In warm months it produces highly fragrant white flowers, giving you year-round polish with seasonal perfume for paths, courtyards and entrances.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.5–1.0 m H × 0.5–1.0 m W (easily kept smaller with clipping)
• Growth Rate: 20-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fine, glossy mid-green leaves; dense branching — new growth lime-green, may show soft bronze tints in cool snaps or strong sun
• Flowers: Highly fragrant white clusters in spring–autumn, with repeat flushes after rain/warmth
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen structure all year; repeated perfumed blooms through the warm months; tidy bones in winter
• Wildlife Value: Good for Pollinators — attracts bees; occasional butterfly visitors
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant (once established), Heat-Tolerant, Light Frost Tolerant (protect from severe frost), Coastal-Tolerant (sheltered), Wind-Tolerant; Clay-Tolerant if well-drained
• Planting Density: Low hedge/edging: 3–4 plants per metre (25–35 cm apart) for a tight line; 2–3 per metre for a softer border. Specimen: 0.6–1.0 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (best flowering with 4–6+ hrs sun)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay loam
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Mulch in spring; lightly trim after each flower flush to keep compact; feed in early spring (and midsummer if hedged regularly)
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal Adelaide (sheltered sites)
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is good

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Perfumed low hedge/edging along Adelaide paths, patios and windows for scent on warm evenings
• Formal knot or parterre borders where tight clipping and small leaves give a crisp, classic look
• Feature pairs in pots at entries or around alfresco areas; clip to spheres/cones for year-round structure

Why You Will Love It

‘Min A Min’ delivers the fragrance and gloss of Mock Orange in a space-saving dwarf form—perfect for South Australian courtyards and narrow beds. It’s easy to shape, flowers repeatedly in warm weather, and stays neat with minimal upkeep, making it a dependable, scented edging plant for Adelaide homes.