Philadelphus lewisii (Wild Mock Orange)

Philadelphus lewisii (Wild Mock Orange) is a fountain-shaped, loosely branched, deciduous shrub with long arching stems clothed with oval, soft green leaves turning yellow in the fall. Flowering for several weeks in late spring to early summer, a profusion of very fragrant, cup-shaped, 4-petaled, white flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), are borne in clusters at the end of the stems. At the height of flowering, the shrub is literally covered in a mass of blossoms. The flowers exude a delightfully sweet fragrance reminiscent of orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple. The branches are red when new and fade to gray with age, the bark shredding in small flakes. Philadelphus lewisii is the state flower of Idaho. It makes a great background shrub or specimen plant. Plant it close to paths, windows, or entryways to enjoy the fragrant blossoms!

• Grows up to 5-12 ft. tall (150-360 cm) and 6-12 ft. wide (180-360 cm).
• A full sun to partial shade lover, this plant is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, from moist to dry soils. Drought tolerant, though sometimes a little additional water can help it to thrive and flower more vigorously
• Great for shrub borders, foundation plantings, informal flowering hedges.
• Generally pest and disease free. Keep an eye out for leaf spot, canker, powdery mildew and rust.
• Blooms on previous year’s wood, so prune immediately after flowering. Old plants can be rejuvenated after flowering by cutting old wood back to the ground.
• Native to western North America, from northwestern California in the Sierra Nevada, north to southern British Columbia, and east to Idaho and Montana.