Mock orange (Philadelphus species) is an old tree, chosen mainly for appealing spring blooms and hardiness in various conditions. Cultivars offer more choice in proportion, such as compact shrubs appropriate for smaller spaces. Despite a brief blooming period and nondescript foliage, gardeners like the ease of maintenance and growing which characterizes the mock orange species.
Mock Orange Shrubs
The mock orange (Philadelphus) shrub species is vigorous and hardy, recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 8. Mock orange is implanted for its profuse and fragrant spring blooms; once it blooms, it fades into the background. Spring flowering is brief, and the fall color isn’t notable. Philadelphus virginalis is a hybrid mock orange with several cultivars bred for flowering and cold tolerance, including some cultivars with double blooms, and capable of withstanding temperatures in USDA planting zone 3.
Growth Habit
Depending on the cultivar, Philadelphus virginalis shrubs grow between 5 and 9 feet high, with a spread equal to the height. Several cultivars are more streamlined — “Miniature Snowflake” is 2 to 3 feet in height and spread. The cultivars are rounded or vase-shaped, with ascending branches that arch as the shrub matures. Younger plants possess an exfoliating bark from red, chestnut and orange colours, with dark or tan brown revealed as the bark peels.
Culture
Philadelphus shrubs are easy to care for. They aren’t demanding about dirt, though you ought to avoid wet dirt. They grow best in moist, well-drained dirt fortified with organic matter, such as compost. The species is tolerant of cold and heat, and prefers full sun or partial shade requirements for abundant flowering. Mock orange has few problems with disease or pests, though it’s vulnerable to aphids, which may impair the plant’s health.
Pruning and Aphid Control
Mock orange has a tendency to become leggy without routine pruning. The blossoms bloom on last year’s growth, so prune after the flowers are finished for the season. The tree reacts well to pruning and can be cut down to the ground, or merely thin crowded divisions and old wood. Thinning the divisions will expose the interesting exfoliating bark character of young development. Hose off aphids from the leaf before they affect the tree’s wellbeing.