Philadelphus x virginalis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- fil-ah-DEL-fuss ver-ji-NAH-lis
- Description
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Virginal mock-orange is a hybrid cross of P. coronarius x P. microphyllus x P. pubescens. It is a deciduous shrub that grows 5 to 10 feet tall and wide with an erect, arching habit. From May to June, it blooms with clusters of fragrant, semi-double to double white flowers. The leaves are green, oval, and up to 3 inches long. Its bark is grayish-brown and exfoliating. This shrub belongs to the hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). The genus name Philadelphus is Greek and means "loving one's brother or sister." The specific epithet virginalis means "white" and refers to its flowers.
This shrub is easily grown in full sun to partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained clay soil. It adapts well to different soil types and tolerates occasional drought once established. Prune immediately after flowering, as it blooms on old wood. This shrub tends to get leggy, but it tolerates severe pruning, which will help control its size and shape. To rejuvenate this shrub, cut it back to the ground after flowering. Cultivars are available in smaller sizes.
Plant this shrub where you can enjoy its orange blossom fragrance. Consider it as a foundation, border, or woodland planting.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, scale, and leaf miners. It may be susceptible to leaf spot, canker, powdery mildew, and rust.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake'
Grows 3-4 ft. tall and equally wide; more compact, with double, fragrant white flowers - 'Minnesota Snowflake'
Grows up to 5 ft. tall, with fragrant, double white flowers - 'Natchez'
Grows 6 to 8 ft. tall and equally wide, with numerous fragrant white blooms up to 2 inches wide - 'Snow Belle'
Grows 3-4 ft. tall and wide, wtih fragrant, double white flowers - Snow White™ or 'Snowwhite Fantasy'
Grows 5-6 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide, with fragrant, double white flowers in the spring and reblooms during the summer
- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake'
- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Natchez', 'Snow Belle', Snow White™ or 'Snowwhite Fantasy'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake'
Grows 3-4 ft. tall and equally wide; more compact, with double, fragrant white flowers - 'Minnesota Snowflake'
Grows up to 5 ft. tall, with fragrant, double white flowers - 'Natchez'
Grows 6 to 8 ft. tall and equally wide, with numerous fragrant white blooms up to 2 inches wide - 'Snow Belle'
Grows 3-4 ft. tall and wide, wtih fragrant, double white flowers - Snow White™ or 'Snowwhite Fantasy'
Grows 5-6 ft. tall and 4 ft. wide, with fragrant, double white flowers in the spring and reblooms during the summer
- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake'
- 'Miniature Snowflake' or 'Dwarf Minnesota Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Natchez', 'Snow Belle', Snow White™ or 'Snowwhite Fantasy'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Philadelphus
- Family:
- Hydrangeaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Non-native hybrid
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
- Moist
- 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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Small, 4-valved dry capsule is persistent into winter months
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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, fragrant, white flowers in May-June. Each bloom is 1.5- 2 inches wide and occurs in clusters of 3-7 blooms.
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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:
- The 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. The leaves are medium to dark green on the upper surface and are tomentose on the lower surface.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Grayish-brown bark may exfoliate with age.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green to red-green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
