Genus Philadelphus (Mock orange)

Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus' Photo/Illustration: Daryl Beyers

fil-ah-DEL-fus Common Name: Mock orange

Plants in the genus Philadelphus are mainly deciduous shrubs from scrubby and rocky areas in Eastern Europe, the Himalayas, East Asia, and North and Central America. The 40 species and numerous cultivars are grown for their sweetly fragrant, usually white or creamy flowers that bloom in spring or summer. A single plant can perfume an entire garden. Flowers are generally cup- or bowl-shaped and may be single, semi-double, or double. Grow in a border, in a woodland garden, as screening, or as specimen plants.
Noteworthy characteristics: Generally trouble-free. Profuse, fragrant flowers.
Care: These plants prefer full sun, but can take partial shade. They need well-drained soil of moderate fertility. Indoors, grow in full light or bright filtered light; water freely and fertilize monthly during the growing sesaon, but keep just moist in winter. Prune annually, after flowering, by cutting back flowered shoots to strong buds. On older plants, cut back one-third or one-fifth of old shoots to ground level.
Propagation: Take hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter, or softwood cuttings in summer.
Problems: Rust, scale insects, gray mold, powdery mildew, and fungal spots are common.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Philadelphus

Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus'
(Mock orange) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

1

2

3

4

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11

Mock orange is an upright, deciduous shrub grown for its very fragrant, creamy white flowers that bloom in early summer. 'Aureus' has golden yellow leaves in spring that turn yellow-green in summer. Use in a shrub border or woodland garden.

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