What soil does Mock orange grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Is Mock orange hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Mock orange be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Mock orange be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 1.5 plants per metre.

How much water does Mock orange need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Mock orange cost?

It sells for roughly €4.90 to €8.90 in local shops, depending on size.

Mock orange

Philadelphus coronarius

Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €4.90.

Illustration of Mock orange — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A large, upright then arching deciduous shrub grown for its white, intensely sweet-scented flowers in late May and June: plant it near a patio or seat where you can enjoy the scent in the evening. It grows in sun or part shade in almost any soil, including clay and chalk, as long as water does not stand around the roots. It has little to offer once flowering is over, so use it as a backdrop or an informal hedge, and prune it right after flowering because it blooms on the previous year's wood.

Watch out for

Black aphids often crowd the shoot tips in spring and early summer, curling the leaves and leaving the shoots sticky; it looks bad but rarely weakens the shrub seriously. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust and canker also occur. Cutting it back in autumn or spring removes the next year's flowers. Left unpruned it becomes bare at the base and outgrows its place: take out some of the oldest stems at ground level after flowering. It needs watering in prolonged summer drought.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	3–4 m × 2.5–4 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €4.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-40 cm	approx. €8.90
30-40 cm	approx. €7.60
60-80 cm	approx. €5
size not stated	approx. €4.90 – €8.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Fragrant plants Fragrant shrubs

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Mock orange vs Black elder Mock orange vs Guelder rose Mock orange vs Ninebark

Looks good next to it

Common yew

Taxus baccata

Heartleaf bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia

Persian ivy

Hedera colchica