Plant DetailShow Menu

Fragrant Mockorange Philadelphus coronarius

Phonetic Spelling
fill-uh-DEL-fus kore-uh-NAIR-ee-us
Description

A rounded shrub in the hydrangea family with stiff, straight ascending arching branches; dense, twiggy; can become leggy so may need to be pruned to shape.  Plant in full sun to partial shade.  Tolerates a variety of soil types but prefers moist, well-drained soil.  It is drought and wind tolerant.  While it is gorgeous in bloom and its fragrance is intoxicating it is rather unremarkable the rest of the year.  Plan your landscape design accordingly.  Consider planting near a patio so the fragrance can be enjoyed especially in the evening.  It makes an excellent addition to a cottage garden or used in foundation plantings, or as a hedge or privacy screen.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.  Aphids, nematodes, scale, and leaf miners can cause some damage.  Leaf spot, canker, powdery mildew, and rust are occasional diseases.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aureus'
  • 'Icezam'
  • 'Nanus'
'Aureus', 'Icezam', 'Nanus'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#cottage garden#wind tolerant#nighttime garden#foundation planting#screening#exfoliating bark#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Aureus'
  • 'Icezam'
  • 'Nanus'
'Aureus', 'Icezam', 'Nanus'
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#cottage garden#wind tolerant#nighttime garden#foundation planting#screening#exfoliating bark#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Philadelphus
    Species:
    coronarius
    Family:
    Hydrangeaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North EastTurkey to Caucasus
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Ascending
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    Maintenance:
    Low
    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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    4 valved capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cross
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-1.5 in. 4-petaled white flowers in small clusters (5-7 flowers) racemes. Blooms from May to June; very fragrant
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, simple medium to dark green leaves; 1.5-4 in. long; non-showy fall color
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    Dark brown bark that exfoliates as it ages
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Wind