Mock Orange, Sweet mock orange
Philadelphus coronarius

Family: Hydrangeaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.

Philadelphus coronarius is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Scrub and woodland on warm rocky hills and screes.

Europe - S. Austria, Italy. Possibly occasionally naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The leaves are rich in saponins, when crushed and mixed with water they produce a lather that is an effective cleaner, used on the body, clothes etc. You can wash your hands by merely picking a couple of leaves or a bunch of blossom, wetting your hands and then rubbing the plant material vigorously as if it was a bar of soap. This soap is a very gentle cleaner that does not remove the body's natural oils, but does remove dirt. It is not very effective against oil. The leaves can also be used as a duster and a wood polish. Plants can be grown as a hedge.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Polish: Plants used to give a shine to metals, wood etc.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

Hedge: Hedge

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Cascades, Pest tolerant, Massing, Screen, Specimen. A very easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately fertile soil, and also in thin soils over chalk. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates poor soils. Succeeds in semi-shade but prefers a position in full sun where it will flower more freely. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. The flowers are very aromatic with a strong orange aroma. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, one third of the stems can be cut down to the ground each year in order to promote fresh growth and heavier flowering. Fast growing. Plants are inclined to send up suckers and can form thickets. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. Plants can harbour blackfly. Special Features:Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

Propagating it: Seed - best if given 1 months cold stratification. Sow February in a light position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long side-shoots, July/August in a shaded frame. Plant out in spring. High percentage. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm with a heel, December in a sheltered bed outdoors. Fair to good percentage. Layering in summer. Very easy.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. pallidus.