About this Class

Philadelphus coronarius (Mock Orange) is a dense, rounded, suckering, deciduous shrub with stiff, straight, ascending branches. In late spring to early summer, its pleasantly arching branches bear abundant clusters of very fragrant, cup-shaped, 4-petaled, white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm). The blossoms contrast nicely against the foliage of oval, remotely serrated, dark green leaves. The branches exfoliate in strips to reveal the pale brown bark. While this strong-growing old favorite is magnificent in bloom, it tends to fade into the background the rest of the year. Still, the legendary mock orange fragrance and the thousands of blossoms at one time are good enough reasons to plant one. Consider planting near a patio, so the fragrance can be enjoyed.