Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius) is a deciduous shrub that has a dense, rounded growth habit. It sports oval, serrated, dark green leaves and features showy, cup-shaped, four-petal flowers in the late spring and early summer. Mock orange shrubs have a fairly quick growth rate and can gain around 2 feet per year. They are best planted in the early fall but also can be planted in the spring.
The lovely, fragrant flowers of the mock orange are said to resemble orange blossoms, which is how the shrub got its common name of mock orange. They are rich with nectar that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.Most attractivein the spring, mock orange are typically bare during other times of year and are not ornamental enough to qualify asspecimen plants.
Here, we feature five varieties that vary in size and climate tolerance but share the fabulous floral appeal of all mock oranges.
| Common Name | Mock orange, mock orange shrub, sweet mock orange, English dogwood |
| Botanical Name | Philadelphus coronarius |
| Family | Hydrangeaceae |
| Plant Type | Shrub |
| Mature Size | 10–12 ft. tall and wide |
| Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
| Soil Type | Loamy, moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring, summer |
| Flower Color | White |
| Hardiness Zones | 4–8, USA |
| Native Area | Europe |
Mock Orange Varieties
Mock orange plants fall into the family: Philadelphaceae. Here are a few of the most popular varieties:
- Philadelphus coronarius 'Aurea': This variety is more compact than the main species plant, growing around 5 to 6 feet tall and wide, and it sports gold foliage in the spring.
- Philadelphus lewisii 'Blizzard': Particularly tolerant to cold weather, this variety only reaches around 5 feet high by 3 feet wide.
- Philadelphus x virginalis 'Miniature Snowflake': This variety only grows to around 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide but produces especially fragrant double flowers (having extra petals).
- Philadelphus virginalis 'Snowbelle': Fragrant double flowers adorn this variety, which only grows to around 4 feet tall and wide.
- Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus': This shrub reaches a maximum height of 6 feet and sports white and green variegated foliage.
Tip
Mock orange flowers are famously fragrant, but not all varieties are equally so. Purchase your mock orange when the shrub is in bloom at the nursery, so you can smell it before you buy. Note that the flowers are most fragrant in the evening.
Mock Orange Care
Maintenance is generally very simple for mock orange shrubs. They don’t often have issues with pests or diseases. And established shrubs will only need watering during periods of drought, so long as the soil is moist and well-draining. These plants prefer acidic or neutral soil and need full or partial sun. Plan both to fertilize and prune your shrub annually.
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Planting
Mock orange plants do well in hardiness zones 4-8, USA, and you will get the best blooms when they are planted in areas that get full sun. The prime time to plant mock orange is in the early fall, but the early spring is also an option.
They can be planted in groups to form a loose privacy hedge for summer, and their blossoms are often used as cut flowers. Just make sure their planting site has good drainage, as being waterlogged is not something these shrubs can tolerate.
Light
These shrubs can grow in full sun to partial shade, meaning at least roughly four hours of direct sunlight on most days. They will generally bloom more profusely when planted in full sun.
Soil
Mock orange shrubs like organically rich soil. They can tolerate a wide range of soil types—including sandy, clay, and loamy soils—as long as they have good drainage. Moreover, they do best with an acidic to neutral soil pH.
Water
These shrubs prefer moist but not soggy soil. They do have some drought tolerance once they’reestablished, but don’t let the soil completely dry out on them. Water mature shrubs during periods of drought, and water young shrubs to keep the soil lightly moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Mock orange shrubs are hardy to the cold weather within their growing zones and typically don’t need winter protection. They will appreciate some extra water and protection from harsh afternoon sun in excessive heat. Humidity typically isn’t an issue for these plants.
Fertilizer
Mix some compost, bark humus, or manure into the soil when planting mock orange. Then, for annual feedings in the late spring, add a layer of compost around the shrub, working it into the soil. Do not use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It can significantly increase leaf growth, which can hinder or even stop blossom growth.
Pruning
Mock orange shrubs bloom on the prior year's growth. To avoid missing out on next year's flowers, prune the shrubs immediately after they're done blooming. On stems that have just finished flowering, prune off growth above where you see outer-facing buds and any dead, damaged, or poorly shaped branches.
If your shrub gets somewhat overgrown, cut the oldest one-third of the branches down to ground level at the time of your annual pruning. After three years of such pruning, the shrub should look healthier. But if the overgrowth is severe, prune all the branches to the ground in the spring. You won't enjoy blooms that year, but healthy new branches will soon pop up from the shrub's base.
Propagating Mock Orange
You can propagate mock orange in a few different ways, some common ones being by cuttings, layering, and suckers. Taking cuttings is best done in the summer when the shrub is actively growing. Here's how to propagate using each of the listed methods:
Cuttings
- Using sterile pruning shears, cut a piece of branch around 5 inches long, just below a leaf node.
- Remove the leaves on the lower portion of your cutting, leaving at least two sets of leaves.
- Apply the rooting hormone to the cut end of your branch.
- Bury the cut end in a small pot with drainage holes with a fast-draining seed-starting mix. Moisten the soil slightly.
- Keep the pot in bright, indirect light, and make sure the soil stays lightly moist. When you feel resistance if you gently tug on the stem, the cutting can be transplanted to the growing site (around one month).
Layering
- Find a long, bendable branch and remove about two inches of bark from an area a foot or so from the end.
- Bury a six-inch portion of the branch (including the area bare of bark) around four inches deep in the soil, leaving the tip exposed.
- Position a weighted object over the buried portion of the branch to keep it secure.
- Keep the soil around the shrub moist and expect to see a new shrub form in six months to one year.
Suckers
- Once you have identified a sucker (a small plant that grows from a parent plant's roots), keep an eye on it until the shrub's dormant season (in this case, the winter).
- During the winter, sever the roots attaching the sucker to the parent shrub.
- Replant the sucker in its new location.
How to Get Mock Orange to Bloom
Mock orange flowers are the star of this plant. The four-petal white flowers generally bloom in May and June in numerous clusters of five to seven, and they have a very sweet scent. They will readily rebloom year after year as long as the shrub remains healthy and in optimal growing conditions.
Adequate sunlight is a key factor in getting this shrub to bloom profusely. Full sun is best, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days, though the shrub also can live in slightly lower light conditions. Moreover, pruning out roughly a third of a mature shrub's oldest branches will encourage new and more vigorous stems to grow, which in turn should produce more flowers. It is not necessary to deadhead the flowers (remove spent blooms).
Common Problems With Mock Orange
Mock orange is not known to have many problems when grown in the proper environment. However, inadequate growing conditions or care can result in some common issues.
Poor Flowering
Improper pruning is a common culprit for mock orange shrubs that do not bloom well or at all. Prune immediately after your shrub is done flowering for the season as to not remove next year's buds.
Environmental conditions also influence blooming. Example: If you are using lawn fertilizer near your shrub, it may get too much nitrogen. Use a soil test to check the soil's nitrogen levels.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing foliage on a mock orange shrub is often a sign of overwatering. While this shrub likes moist soil, it does not do well when waterlogged. Make sure your soil is draining well, and try putting a little more time in between waterings.
FAQ
What are mock orange plants good for?
Mock orange plants are most revered for their citrusy scent, but they are also great privacy plants. They are also versatile, and able to thrive in the ground and containers.
Are mock orange plants deer resistant?
Mature mock orange plants are deer-resistant, however, younger plants are still somewhat susceptible to the animal’s appetite.
Do mock oranges bloom all summer?
Mock oranges are at peak bloom during the late spring and early portion of the summer, but you may still find a few flowers during the latter part of summertime.
What should I plant next to mock oranges?
Popular companion plants to mock orange include roses, witch hazel, ninebark, violets, dogwood, and snowberry. Any native shrubs in your region will likely do well alongside them too.
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Why Plants Fail to Flower or Fruit. Clemson University Cooperative Extension.
