Mock orange (Philadelphis sp.) is a robust woody shrub that grows up to 2-3m high. It is a deciduous shrub which is dense and because it has hard wood, stands straight and tall even in wet or windy conditions. It grows quickly and produces fragrant and attractive flowers in the spring and summer
- We have the variety Philadelphis lewisii, which is native to our area. It is very cold hardy.
- We have taken root sections several times to create new shrubs.
- It prefers full sun or partial shade. Ours are on south-facing slopes. Average soil and average watering makes this an easy shrub to care for.
- The flowers are have 4 white petals to form a showy flower, one of a cluster of 3-12 at the ends of stems. The flowers are fragrant; some have a faint orange blossom scent.
- The leaves are positioned on the stem in opposing pairs. They are oval shaped, each with 3 prominent veins. The leaves feel like sandpaper when handled.
- Woody capsules form after flowering, with seeds developing over the summer months.
- Shared here are some images from the garden. Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.
- Mock orange flowers on last year’s new growth. A good rule of thumb is to prune about a third of the woody growth after flowering.
- Maintenance is fairly simple. We fertilize it lightly in the spring and it is within our irrigation zones.
- There are 65 different species of mock orange, but not all of them are cold tolerant.
- We harvest some seeds and scatter them on the hillside below, but none have grown to date. We have had good success with taking root sections and potting them up, then transplanting in the fall.
- Mock orange blowers attract pollinators. The flowers make fine cut flowers for inside the home.
- Before buying mock orange, some considerations are noted. It needs the right spot – lots of sun and lots of space. If you have the spot, it is an easy and rewarding shrub for the garden.
