The Meyer lemon is famous for its juicy fruits and the ease with which it grows. It’s often planted close to the house so fruits can be picked at the last moment to go with a fish dish or to add the finishing touch to a drink. In addition to its culinary uses, the Meyer lemon is a handsome ornamental, the golden fruits shining brightly and providing a cheery note even on the dullest days. This lemon loves the sun and it can be fun surrounding it with other, smaller plants which enjoy similar conditions.

Lavenders provide a striking contrast to the fruits, as do Felicia ‘Golden Sapphire’ and the dark red flowered Fuchsia ‘Gartenmeister’ which flowers over most of the year in a sheltered spot. For a bit of drama in subtropical style gardens, plant Meyer lemons against brightly coloured walls and fences and mingle them with the dwarf Australian frangipani, Hymenosporum ‘Gold Nugget’, Trachelospermum jasminoides which can be treated as a ground cover or a climber and one of the dazzling vireya rhododendrons such as ‘Fireplum’.