Virginal Mockorange Philadelphus x virginalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- fil-ah-DEL-fuss ver-ji-NAH-lis
- Description
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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:
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- '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'
- 'Miniature Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Snow Belle', 'Snow White Sensation)
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Miniature Snowflake', 'Minnesota Snowflake', 'Snow Belle', 'Snow White Sensation)
- Tags:
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-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- 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
- 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 white flowers in May-June are 3-5 inches wide and occur in clusters of 3-7. Very fragrant.
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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:
- 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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Bark Description:
- Red-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
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Rain Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
