Philadelphus

( fi - luh - DEL - fuss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering deciduous and evergreen shrubs is commonly called Mock Orange, and needs partial shade in warmer climates and moderate to regular water to perform well. These shrubs' flowers will attract butterflies to the garden. Blooms pop in late spring or early summer, usually in cream or white. Flowers can be fragrant in some species.

Philadelphus Species and Varietals

The genus Philadelphus includes 60 species and is a member of the plant family Hydrangeaceae. The best growing zones for Mock Orange vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Philadelphus 'Belle Etoile'
This variety is a deciduous plant, best in zones 2-17. It reaches 5-6 feet tall and 8 feet wide, and has single white blooms with maroon centers. Fragrant flowers. Popular garden choice.

Philadelphus 'Buckley's Quill'
This variety grows well in zones 3-17 as a deciduous tree, and has a dense, compact habit to 4-5 feet tall and just as wide. It has clusters of fragrant double flowers with narrow, pointed petals.

Philadelphus coronarius (Sweet Mock Orange)
This species is native to southern Europe and the Caucasus and is best in zones A1-A3, 1a and 2-24. Reaches 10-12 feet tall and wide, with very fragrant flowers. A classic favorite, this species has a few choice varieties, including: 'Aureus' (to 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide with bright golden foliage that turns yellow-green in summertime), and 'Variegatus' (with leaves edged in white).

Philadelphus 'Glacier'
This variety of Mock Orange is deciduous and grows well in zones A3, 1a, and 2-17. Reaches 5 feet tall and wide, with fragrant double blossoms.

Philadelphus lewisii (Wild Mock Orange)
Deciduous species native to western North America, grows well in zones 1-10 and 14-24. 4-10 feet tall and just a bit wider. Single flowers have satiny white petals. This is the state flower of Idaho. Variety 'Goose Creek' has double flowers and reaches 8 feet tall and wide.

Philadelphus 'Manteau d'Hermine'
This species is deciduous and grows well in zones 2-17 and reaches 2-3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Double flowers that have a heavy fragrance; a great choice for smaller gardens.

Philadelphus mexicanus (Evergreen Mock Orange)
This species takes the form of a vining shrub, and is native to Mexico. Evergreen foliage and creamy white clusters of flowers. Reaches 6 feet tall and wide as a free-standing shrub, and if given support, can climb up to 15-20 feet. Grows best in zones 8, 9 and 14-24.

Philadelphus microphyllus
This deciduous shrub grows well in zones 1-3, 7, 10, 14-16 and 18. It is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, and is 4-5 feet tall and wide. Very fragrant flowers. Endures some drought.

Philadelphus 'Minnesota Snowflake'
This species is deciduous and grows well in zones A3, 1a and 2-17. Reaches 6-8 feet tall and wide with double flowers. Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. Variety 'Miniature Snowflake' (also known as 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Snowflake') reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide, with double flowers.

Philadelphus 'Natchez'
This deciduous plant grows well in zones A3, 1a and 2-17. It reaches 8-10 feet tall and just as wide. Double flowers bloom profusely.

Philadelphus 'Virginal'
This deciduous species grows well in zones A3, 1a and 2-17 and reaches 6-8 feet tall and just as wide. Double flowers are fragrant.

Caring for and pruning Philadelphus shrubs

Philadelphus is considered to be an easy-to-care-for shrub that needs full sun to partial shade. The more sun these plants receive the better they will flower and leaf out. They prefer well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter with a pH of between 4.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). Water regularly when newly planted. Once established, Mock Orange is drought-tolerant and only need water during prolonged dry, hot spells. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant; this will increase soil moisture retention and discourage opportunistic weeds from popping up. These shrubs generally don't need much in the way of fertilization. If soil quality is particularly poor, however, these shrubs may benefit from a feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in springtime.

Prune Mock Orange shrubs immediately after flowering ceases to remove faded blossoms and to shape the shrub. Avoid pruning these plants heavily; they do not always react well and may not flower as profusely the following year. Prune out any dead or diseased wood at pruning time, as well.

Propagation

Propagating Philadelphus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In late winter or early springtime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.