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Philadelphus x virginalis

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
fil-ah-DEL-fuss X ver-ji-NAH-lis
Description

Virginal Mockorange is a tall shrub that grows to 10 feet tall and wide and has an erect form that tends to get leggy. It is easy to grow and prefers fertile moist clay soil but is adaptable to other soils. It is tolerant of occasional drought once established. In June it blooms with clusters of white fragrant flowers. Prune immediately after flowering as it blooms on old wood. It can take severe pruning to help control its size and shape. Cultivars are available in smaller sizes.

Plant this shrub where you can enjoy the orange blossom fragrance of the blooms.

Potential problems are scale, rust, powdery mildew

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Miniature Snowflake'
    More compact, double fragrant flowers
  • 'Minnesota Snowflake'
    2-3 ft tall, fragrant double flowers
  • 'Snow Belle'
    3-4 ft high, double fragrant flowers
  • 'Snow White Sensation)
    5-6 ft, double fragrant flowers
'Miniature Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Snow Belle', 'Snow White Sensation)
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#shrub borders
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Miniature Snowflake'
    More compact, double fragrant flowers
  • 'Minnesota Snowflake'
    2-3 ft tall, fragrant double flowers
  • 'Snow Belle'
    3-4 ft high, double fragrant flowers
  • 'Snow White Sensation)
    5-6 ft, double fragrant flowers
'Miniature Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Snow Belle', 'Snow White Sensation)
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#shrub#wet soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#shrub borders
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Philadelphus
    Family:
    Hydrangeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Non-native hybrid
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Small, 4-valved dry capsule is persistent into winter months
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Semi-double to double white flowers in May-June are 3-5 inches wide and occur in clusters of 3-7. Very fragrant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, simple, ovate, 1.5-2 inches long, 1-1.5 inches wide with a rounded base and pointed tip. Margins are slightly toothed. Color is medium to dark green above, tomentose below.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Red-brown bark may exfoliate with age.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green to red-green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Rain Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought