Philadelphus Lewisii: Mock Orange
One of the loveliest, but remarkably underused, natives of the late spring/early summer is our native Mock Orange, Philadelphus lewisii.
Plant care & info
Family: Hydrangaceae
Genus: Philadelphus
Common Name: Mock Orange
Deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub with long, arching branches. Grows 4-6 ft., sometimes taller, with an abundance of richly-fragrant pure white blossoms in the late spring/early summer. After the petals fall, the sepals remain looking like small flowers of a different sort. Leaves have a soft yellow fall color.
Philadelphus lewisii is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and moist to dry soil conditions.. It can survive well on available rainfall here in the valley and is known to be quite drought tolerant, though sometimes a little additional water can help it to thrive and flower more vigorously.
Mock orange will benefit from some regular pruning, which will help keep the plant more dense and full. Every few years, it will be beneficial to cut about a qurater of the oldest branches to the ground. This will open up the plant and allow for maximum bloom (in a similar way that is recommended with hydrangeas).
Mock Orange is an excellent garden candidate–both for its startling beauty and fragrance, as well as its ability to support native pollinators.
Flowering for several weeks starting in late May or early June, the tall, arching branches are covered with a multitude of snow-white blossoms of usually four petals, pale yellow in the center. After the petals fall, the sepals remain in a way that looks like a second, different type of flower, providing some longer seasonal interest.
The oval leaves start out in the spring as a soft green and turn yellow in the fall. Note: during May and June the gloriousness of Philadelphus lewisii can be seen (and smelled) in Portland at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, SE 7th & Sellwood Blvd.
Find Natives for your garden
We offer a great selection of Northwest Natives from spring through fall. The plants featured are highlighted favorites, but they do not represent ALL of the plants we carry. For a more complete list, see our Northwest Native Plant List.
