Philadelphus coronarius
Mock Orange
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Philadelphus genus in the family Hydrangeaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Hydrangeaceae
- Genus
- Philadelphus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- vigorous
- Height
- 4 m
- Spread
- 4 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are rich in saponins[2], when crushed and mixed with water they produce a lather that is an effective cleaner, used on the body, clothes etc. You can wash your hands by merely picking a couple of leaves or a bunch of blossom, wetting your hands and then rubbing the plant material vigorously as if it was a bar of soap[K]. This soap is a very gentle cleaner that does not remove the body's natural oils, but does remove dirt. It is not very effective against oil[K]. The leaves can also be used as a duster and a wood polish[11]. Plants can be grown as a hedge[9].
- Product or use
- Polish
- Product or use
- Soap
Environment
- Range
- Europe - S. Austria, Italy. Possibly occasionally naturalized in Britain[3].
- Habitat
- Scrub and woodland on warm rocky hills and screes[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best if given 1 months cold stratification[1]. Sow February in a light position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long side-shoots, July/August in a shaded frame. Plant out in spring. High percentage[12]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm with a heel, December in a sheltered bed outdoors. Fair to good percentage[12]. Layering in summer. Very easy.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately fertile soil, and also in thin soils over chalk[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates poor soils[6]. Succeeds in semi-shade but prefers a position in full sun where it will flower more freely[4][6]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5]. The flowers are very aromatic[4] with a strong orange aroma[8]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, one third of the stems can be cut down to the ground each year in order to promote fresh growth and heavier flowering[7]. Fast growing[7]. Plants are inclined to send up suckers and can form thickets[4]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[4]. Plants can harbour blackfly[7].
References
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-00-635555-2
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00