cacti and succulents

Citrus aurantium: the bitter orange tree, an ornamental and aromatic tree native to the Mediterranean

The Citrus aurantium, known as Bitter orange tree, also known as the border orange or Seville orange, is one of the most iconic trees in Mediterranean landscaping. Native to Southeast Asia, it has been an integral part of Spain’s culture and landscape for centuries, adorning streets, squares and historic gardens from Seville to the Costa Blanca. Its unique combination of ornamental value, intense fragrance and exceptional hardiness makes it a preferred choice for professional landscaping projects.

Characteristics of the bitter orange

• A rounded, dense body: A compact, rounded tree reaching a height of between 5 and 10 metres, providing dense, even shade all year round thanks to its evergreen foliage.
• Ornamental foliage: shiny, dark green, leathery leaves with winged petioles characteristic of the species. The foliage gives off a citrus scent when crushed.
• Orange blossom: intensely fragrant white flowers that bloom between March and May, known as orange blossom. Their fragrance is one of the bitter orange tree’s greatest attractions and is used in the perfume industry to extract neroli oil.
• Decorative fruits: bright orange oranges that remain on the tree from November to April, adding a splash of colour to the garden in winter. Although they are not edible when fresh, they are used to make bitter orange marmalade.
• Exceptional durability: It tolerates drought, extreme heat, urban pollution, poor soil and severe pruning. It can withstand light frosts down to -5°C.
• Longevity: It can live for over 100 years, making it a very long-term investment in landscaping.

Professional uses of Citrus aurantium

In MedifloraThe bitter orange tree is one of the species most in demand among our professional clients. Its main uses in landscaping include:

• Urban trees: the most commonly used species in street and avenue plantings in Spanish cities. Its compact crown, resistance to pollution and low maintenance requirements make it ideal for public works projects and urban planning.
• Squares and public spaces: provides shade, fragrance and seasonal colour, creating an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere in pedestrian and leisure areas.
• Historic and Andalusian-style gardens: a key feature in courtyards, cloisters and formal gardens inspired by Spanish-Arabic design.
• Hotel complexes: highly prized in the hospitality industry for its orange blossom fragrance in spring and its decorative fruit in winter, complementing palms y olive-trees.
• Hedges and screens: It can be pruned into geometric shapes to create tall, fragrant hedges.

The bitter orange tree compared to other ornamental citrus trees

Compared to the sweet orange tree, Citrus aurantium is significantly more disease-resistant, particularly to citrus tristeza virus (CTV). Its root system is more robust and tolerant of different soil types, making it a more reliable choice for long-term projects. Furthermore, its crown is naturally denser and rounder, requiring less formative pruning. Discover others too ornamental citrus available in our catalogue.

Buy bitter orange trees wholesale from Mediflora

As Wholesale nursery in Elche, AlicanteWe grow and supply Citrus aurantium in various sizes and forms. We offer everything from young trees for new plantings to large-format copies for projects requiring an immediate impact. We supply local councils, construction companies, landscape architects and nursery growers throughout Spain, France and Italy with logistics specialising in live plants. Request a no-obligation quote for your project.