Philadelphus coronarius is a species of flowering plant in the family Hydrangaceae, native to Southern Europe. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 3 m tall by 2.5 m wide, with toothed leaves and bowl-shaped white flowers with prominent stamens.
Sweet mock orange Care
Philadelphus coronarius
What is the plant
Mock orange is, generally speaking, deciduous and multi-stemmed, with a height and spread that are roughly the same. It is classified as a shrub (bush). Mock orange shrubs are rich with nectar and attract butterflies. As the "mock" in its name suggests, mock orange is not a true orange. But the citrusy smell of its blossoms is enough to invite comparison and inspire the common name. The fragrance is a major selling point for mock orange shrubs, but not all cultivars are equally fragrant. Therefore, a good time to buy mock orange is when it is in bloom at the nursery so you can smell before you buy. Massed along a border, they can form a loose privacy hedge for summer. The blossoms are often used as cut flowers.
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Lighting
Full Sun
Hardiness zone
4a - 8b
How to Care for the Plant
Water
They are reasonably drought-tolerant shrubs once established. Don't let the soil dry out but avoid soaking it. These plants have a robust root system, so watering occasionally for older plants is fine. Give the mock orange about 1 inch of water per week, with more water in hot, dry weather and less water in the cooler winter months. Allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between watering. Mock orange is drought-tolerant and does not like wet feet.
Fertilizer
Use compost, bark humus, or manure when planting mock orange. In late spring, you can add more compost around the plant. Do not use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It can significantly increase leaf growth, which will hinder, or even stop, blossom growth.
Sunlight
These plants will do best in full sun to partial shade. The bushes generally blossom more profusely if planted in full sun.
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Soil
The mock orange shrub likes moist, well-draining soil.
Temperature
These plants are fully winter hardy. They do not require winter protection and can tolerate below freezing temperatures. They can be grown in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of -20°F to -30°F.
Popularity
1,396 people already have this plant 364 people have added this plant to their wishlists
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