Philadelphus

Philadelphus

Mock orange

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, well-drained soil
• Flowering period: May to June
• Foliage: deciduous
• Hardiness: fully hardy

Philadelphus, commonly known as mock orange, is highly valued for its showy, white flowers in early summer. It’s a low-maintenance shrub and flowers best in full sun or partial shade.

Varieties

Philadelphus ‘Manteau d’Hermine’

Philadelphus ‘Manteau d’Hermine’ produces handsome, double, creamy-white fragrant flowers which appear on arching shoots with ovate, mid-green leaves. Its height is about 75cm with a spread of 1,5m. A philadelphus suitable for small gardens.

Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’

‘Aureus’ looks slightly different with striking golden-yellow young leaves, maturing to yellow-green with age. It has an upright habit with fragrant single, white flowers. Bees love mock orange ‘Aureus’.

Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’

This variety bears an abundance of highly scented, white flowers with golden-yellow stamens. Perfect for a sunny border. Expect a height of 1,5m and a spread of 2,5m.

Pruning

How and when to prune Philadelphus ( mock orange ). Prune an established philadelphus immediately after flowering. Cut back about 1/4 of the oldest, thickest stems tot the base to keep the plant in shape.

If an old philadelphus has grown quite large, you can renovate it by drastic pruning. Cut back all old stems to the base in early spring. After heavy pruning, it may not flower for a year or two. Philadelphus (mock orange) flowers on the previous year’s growth.

Feeding

Add a 5cm layer of garden compost around the base of the plant in spring.

Plant combination

What grows well with mock orange. Weigela, Deutzia and Choisya x dewitteana ‘Aztec Pearl’, are perfect partners for mock orange.

Deutzia ‘Strawberry Fields’