• Photo of Philadelphus coronarius (Philadelphus coronariuss)

Plant Profile: Philadelphus coronarius

Taxonomy: Philadelphus coronarius

Names

Fragrant Mockorange, Sweet Mockorange

  • Photo of Philadelphus coronarius (Philadelphus coronariuss)

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

Genus:Philadelphus

Species:coronarius

Family:Hydrangeaceae

This rounded shrub, belonging to the hydrangea family, features stiff, upright branches that gracefully arch. Its dense, twiggy structure can become leggy over time, necessitating occasional pruning to maintain its shape. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and is adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained conditions. This plant is resilient against drought and wind. While it boasts stunning blooms and a captivating fragrance, it tends to be less impressive during the rest of the year, so it's wise to plan your landscape design with this in mind. Positioning it near a patio allows you to fully appreciate its delightful scent, particularly in the evenings. It serves as a wonderful addition to cottage gardens, foundation plantings, or as a hedge or privacy screen.

In terms of pests and diseases, this shrub generally faces few serious issues. However, it can be affected by aphids, nematodes, scale, and leaf miners, which may cause some harm. Additionally, occasional problems such as leaf spot, canker, powdery mildew, and rust may arise.

Philadelphus coronarius Feature Summary

Philadelphus coronarius Image Gallery

Tags

#showy flowers
#deciduous
#fragrant flowers
#drought tolerant
#white flowers
#cottage garden
#hedges
#wind tolerant
#nighttime garden
#night
#foundation planting
#screening

Similar Plants

Philadelphus coronarius Feature Summary

Attributes
North EastTurkey to Caucasus
Fruit
4 valved capsule
Flowers
1-1.5 in. 4-petaled white flowers in small clusters (5-7 flowers) racemes. Blooms from May to June; very fragrant
Spring
Summer
4-5 petals/rays
1-3 inches
Leaves
Opposite, simple medium to dark green leaves; 1.5-4 in. long; non-showy fall color
3-6 inches
Bark
Dark brown bark that exfoliates as it ages
Dark Brown
Whole Plant Traits
Arching
Dense
Oval
Ascending
Low
Medium
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Good Drainage
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
Landscape
Cottage Garden
Nighttime Garden
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Screen/Privacy

Philadelphus coronarius Attributes

Philadelphus coronarius: Country Or Region Of Origin

North EastTurkey to Caucasus

Philadelphus coronarius: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Philadelphus coronarius Fruit

Philadelphus coronarius: Fruit Description

4 valved capsule

Philadelphus coronarius: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Philadelphus coronarius Flowers

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Description

1-1.5 in. 4-petaled white flowers in small clusters (5-7 flowers) racemes. Blooms from May to June; very fragrant

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Color

filter_vintage
White

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Petals

2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Philadelphus coronarius: Flower Size

1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches

Philadelphus coronarius Leaves

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Description

Opposite, simple medium to dark green leaves; 1.5-4 in. long; non-showy fall color

Philadelphus coronarius: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Philadelphus coronarius: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Philadelphus coronarius: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Philadelphus coronarius Bark

Philadelphus coronarius: Bark Description

Dark brown bark that exfoliates as it ages

Philadelphus coronarius: Bark Color

grass
Dark Brown

Philadelphus coronarius: Surface/Attachment

Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy

Philadelphus coronarius Whole Plant Traits

Philadelphus coronarius: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Philadelphus coronarius: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Philadelphus coronarius: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Philadelphus coronarius: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Philadelphus coronarius: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Philadelphus coronarius Cultural Conditions

Philadelphus coronarius: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Philadelphus coronarius: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Philadelphus coronarius: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Philadelphus coronarius: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b

Philadelphus coronarius Stem

Philadelphus coronarius: Stem Color

grass
Green

Philadelphus coronarius: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Philadelphus coronarius Landscape

Philadelphus coronarius: Landscape Theme

Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden

Philadelphus coronarius: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Philadelphus coronarius: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Philadelphus coronarius: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland