Philadelphus mexicanus

RHS Plant Profile
Mexican mock orange

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Mexican mock orange RHS
Mexican mock orange RHS
Mexican mock orange RHS
Shrubs
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A spreading, evergreen shrubto 2mwith arching branches and oval leaves up to 10cm long. Creamy-white, strongly-scented, cup-shaped flowers are produced singly or in threes along the branches in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Hydrangeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Philadelphus are deciduous shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and bowl-shaped, usually fragrant flowers which may be solitary or in small panicles or racemes in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico to Central America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained to well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; well suited to a woodland setting in a mild area

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 2

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews