Gardening Plant Encyclopedia Shrub Mock Orange Many varieties have sweetly scented flowers that attract pollinators. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on September 29, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Mock Orange Care Must-Knows Mock orange shrubs don't require much special care. Plant in well-drained soil, preferably amended with loam and organic matter. They prefer evenly moist soil, especially during summer. They will not tolerate wet or poorly drained soil. For the most impressive blooms and fragrance, plant mock oranges in full sun. 13 Beautiful Blooming Shrubs to Fill Your Garden With Color All Summer Long Though it is not necessary to prune mock orange, trimming them controls their somewhat wild appearance. Pruning should be done immediately after the plant flowers. To maintain the size of your shrub, cut to about a third the height each spring. This encourages branching, too. As plants age, some of the mature woody stems can become less productive and bare. These can be cut back to the base to encourage new growth. More Varieties of Mock Orange 01 of 08 Mock Orange Overview Description These deciduous shrubs are the real deal when it comes to scent. Like the orange blossoms they resemble (they aren’t relatives), these flowers have a lovely fragrance. In fact, that is the most common reason they are planted. However, not all 40 species have the signature scent, so shop while they are in bloom so you can smell them. Genus Name Philadelphus Common Name Mock Orange Plant Type Shrub Light Part Sun, Sun Height 3 to 8 feet Width null to 6 feet Flower Color White Foliage Color Blue/Green, Gray/Silver Season Features Spring Bloom Special Features Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Propagation Layering, Seed, Stem Cuttings Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Good For Privacy 02 of 08 'Galahad' mock orange Bill Stites Philadelphus 'Galahad' produces small, glossy leaves and medium-sized fragrant white flowers on a plant that grows 8 feet tall and wide. Zones 4-7 03 of 08 'Miniature Snowflake' mock orange Marty Baldwin Philadelphus 'Miniature Snowflake' is a dwarf from that grows only 3 feet tall. It bears lots of double white, fragrant flowers in spring. Zones 5-8 04 of 08 'Minnesota Snowflake' mock orange Marty Baldwin Philadelphus 'Minnesota Snowflake' bears very large, double flowers that are fragrant, on an upright, well-branching plant growing to 8 feet tall. Very cold hardy. Zones 3-7 05 of 08 Philadelphus lewisii Rich Pomerantz Philadelphus lewisii is the native mock orange, reaching 6 to 7 feet tall, with single, fragrant white blossoms. Zones 4-8 06 of 08 Virginal mock orange Marty Baldwin Philadelphus virginalis produces large, semidouble white blooms are sweetly fragrant and resemble white roses when in bud. It grows 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Zones 5-8 Garden Plans for Mock Orange 07 of 08 Foundation Garden Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke A colorful alternative to the standard all-green landscape, this foundation planting mixes broad-leafed evergreen shrubs and a sculptural tree with flowering perennials and groundcovers. Click here to get this garden plan! 08 of 08 Easy-Care Summer-Blooming Shade Garden Plan Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke This mix of flowering shrubs and perennials will fill your yard with color all summer long—plus provide interest in spring, fall, and winter. Download this free plan now. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit