Mock Orange Shrubs: How to Grow Mock Orange

Mock orange, known by its scientific name Philadelphus coronarius, is a flowering deciduous shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family. The bush has a rounded shape and dark green foliage. Mock orange blossoms in white blooms of showy, fragrant flowers that resemble orange blossoms during a spring bloom time. These blossoms also tend to attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

There are many varieties of mock orange that make for beautiful flowering shrubs you can use to add fragrance or intrigue to your home garden or landscape. Some varieties have different growth habits, variegated leaves, or larger qualities of flowers than others. Here are some of the most popular varieties of mock orange.

1. 1. Philadelphus x virginalis: Also known by the common name Minnesota snowflake, this cultivar of mock orange has large double flowers that emit a very strong citrus scent.
2. 2. Philadelphus x purpureomaculatus: Also known as belle etoile, this variety of mock orange has a longer bloom period than usual. It is a compact shrub that grows large white flowers and bold yellow stamens.
3. 3. Philadelphus lewisii: This variety, also known as wild mock orange, is one of the largest cultivars of mock orange with prominent white blossoms.
4. 4. Philadelphus coronarius ‘aureus’: This variety of mock orange grows brilliant golden leaves that turn to progressively darker shades of green throughout its growing season.
5. 5. Philadelphus coronarius 'Variegatus': A cultivar of mock orange has variegated leaves with white edges and light green centers.

You can purchase a mock orange plant from most garden centers, but you can also quickly propagate mock orange plants from cuttings. Once they’re established, these plants do not require much maintenance. Keep in mind that they thrive in USDA hardiness zones three through eight. Here is a quick overview of how to plant mock orange from cuttings.

1. 1. Plan to take cuttings in the summer. The best time to collect cuttings from an established mock orange plant is during the summer, at the peak of the plant’s growing season. Use sterilized pruning shears to cut a branch just below a leaf node that is around five inches long. Trim the leaves off the lower portion of the cutting, but leave a few sets of leaves on the top end.
2. 2. Use a rooting hormone. Apply a rooting hormone to your cutting right where you cut it from the mature shrub.
3. 3. Prepare a pot with soil. Fill a seedling tray or pot with a well-draining seed starting potting mix. Make sure the pot you use has drainage holes.
4. 4. Plant your cutting. Plant the cut end of your cutting into the prepared soil so that the leaves on the top end remain above the soil.
5. 5. Water and keep in indirect light. Water the soil right after you plant your cutting, making sure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Place your cutting in a place in your house that gets bright and indirect light. Your cutting should begin to form roots within a month, and it will be ready for you to transplant it to your garden when you can feel some slight resistance from the roots when you gently tug.

Your mock orange plant will need watering and attention while it is establishing itself, but these drought-tolerant shrubs should need very little maintenance once they are mature.

1. 1. Provide full sun if possible. Mock orange plants will bloom best when they receive plenty of full sun, but they will also tolerate some partial shade. Make sure that your mock orange shrubs get at least four hours of full sun a day.
2. 2. Prune in the early summer: Prune your mock orange in the late spring or the early summer, right after they have fully bloomed and the flowers are spent. This will help the bush maintain its shape and promote new growth.
3. 3. Watch for common pests and diseases. If you live in an especially humid climate, your mock orange may develop powdery mildew or even leaf spots, which can be treated with common fungicides. They are also susceptible to common pests like spider mites or aphids, which can be removed by washing the leaves or by applying a neem oil solution.
4. 4. Provide compost in the spring. Your mock orange won’t require fertilization, but you can add a layer of compost in the early spring to provide more nutrients for the plant before it blooms.
5. 5. Water regularly but avoid soggy soil. You will want to frequently water your mock orange plant after planting it to keep the soil moist, especially in the hotter months of summer. However, be careful to not overwater and waterlog the soil. Once your mock orange is established, it shouldn’t need much watering because it is very drought-tolerant.

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