Mock Orange
Philadelphus coronarius and hybrids
Mock orange is a deciduous shrub covered in white flowers in early summer whose scent resembles orange blossom. It is easy, hardy and a favourite cottage-garden shrub.
Photo: Rainer Bielefeld · Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water young shrubs in dry spells.
Soil
Most well-drained soils; pH 6.0–8.0.
Temperature and humidity
-30–32 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Mulch with compost in spring.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, layering
Prune right after flowering, removing some of the oldest stems.
Mock orange is not toxic.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant near a door or path for the scent.
Compact varieties suit small gardens.
Tolerates chalky (alkaline) soil.
Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →
