MOCK ORANGE

SYRINGA, SWEET MOCK-ORANGE

Philadelphus Coronarius

Mock-orange Family [Hydrangeaceae]

6th July 2008, Walkden, Greater Manchester.

Photo: © RWD

Flowers profusely. Grows to 20 feet tall.

6th July 2008, Walkden, Greater Manchester.

Photo: © RWD

With four white petals.

17th June 2004, Leek Canal, Cheddleton.

Photo: © RWD

Which smell of oranges.

17th June 2004, Leek Canal, Cheddleton.

Photo: © RWD

The stems are long and light-coloured, with oppositely paired, broad, slightly toothed leaves.

17th June 2004, Leek Canal, Cheddleton.

Photo: © RWD

A profusion of creamy yellow stamens in the centre.

27th June 2005, Castleton, Greater Manchester.

Photo: © RWD

A double flowered form, possibly Philadelphus Virginal, has bright green leaves and grows but 6 to 8 feet tall.

27th June 2005, Castleton, Greater Manchester.

Photo: © RWD

A double flowered form, possibly Philadelphus Virginal (Common Mock Orange).

Easily confused with : 60 other varieties of Mock Orange.

Distinguishing Feature :

No relation to : Oranges [a plant with similar name that just happen to smell similar]

There are up to 60 different varieties of Mock Orange, and about half a dozen double-flowered forms. All the flowers smell of orange blossom to a greater or lesser degree. Some grow to 20 feet high, as does Philadelphus Coronarius, others to only 10 feet or lower. Most have long arching branches which grow up to 6 feet long in a single season.

Mock Orange, a flowering shrub, sends out long arching new woody shoots in spring that extend a metre or more. The flowers have four white petals and smell of oranges and of Jasmine. It tends not to flower well if highly pruned. Although deciduous, shedding most of their leaves in autumn, the tips of branches may retain a few leaves over winter. Only a few of the 60 varieties are evergreen. ANY TEXT GOES HERE

Distribution
family8Mock-orange family8Hydrangeaceae

BSBI maps

Philadelphus