Mock Orange Philadelphus 'Virginal' (d)
ABOUT
Philadelphus 'Virginal', commonly known as mock orange, is a deciduous shrub recognized for its abundant and fragrant white blooms. These flowers are double, meaning they have more than one row of petals, and they cluster along the branches, creating a spectacular display. Each flower resembles a small, white rose, contributing to the plant's overall lush and romantic appearance when in full bloom. The foliage of mock orange is comprised of oval-shaped leaves, which are a vibrant green hue that provides a fresh background for the white flowers. The leaves are arranged in an opposite fashion along the branches, and they generally have a slightly toothed margin, which gives them a gentle textured appearance. Mock orange is known for its vigorous growth and has a naturally arching shape that adds to its ornamental appeal. The plant's branches are adorned with the stunning blooms typically in late spring to early summer, depending on the local climate. The contrast between the dark green leaves and the pure white flowers is striking and makes mock orange a desirable addition to many gardens. The fragrance of mock orange is one of its most beloved traits. The scent is sweet and potent, reminiscent of orange blossoms, which is how it gets its common name, despite not being related to true citrus orange trees. This lovely aroma can fill a garden space, especially in the evening, attracting pollinators as well as delighting anyone who passes by. Overall, Philadelphus 'Virginal' is esteemed for its showy and sweet-scented blooms, attractive green foliage, and the romantic ambiance it brings to the landscape. It is often planted as a focal point in garden beds, borders, or as a stand-alone specimen, where its beauty and fragrance can be fully admired and appreciated.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Hydrangeaceae
Synonyms
Mock Orange, Sweet Mock Orange, English Dogwood, Virginal Mock Orange
Common names
Philadelphus 'Virginal'.
ToxicityTo humans
Mock orange (Philadelphus 'Virginal') is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from ingesting any part of the mock orange plant. Therefore, accidental ingestion is not expected to cause any significant symptoms of poisoning or have serious consequences for human health.
To pets
Mock orange is also considered non-toxic to pets. It does not contain any known toxic compounds that could harm cats, dogs, or other household pets. If a pet ingests part of a mock orange plant, they are unlikely to experience any significant symptoms of poisoning. As with any non-food plant material, ingesting large amounts may potentially cause mild stomach upset, but no serious toxic effects are expected.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Aromatic flowers: Philadelphus 'Virginal', commonly known as Mock Orange, is prized for its strongly fragrant, white double flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer.
- Attracts pollinators: The blooms provide nectar and habitat for bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination.
- Ornamental value: Mock Orange has a pleasing, rounded shape with arching branches that make it an attractive addition to any landscape design.
- Showy blooms: The plant's large, white flowers are eye-catching and can serve as a focal point in a garden.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Mock Orange is relatively drought tolerant, requiring minimal watering in temperate climates.
- Ease of care: It is known for being low maintenance and requiring little pruning, making it a good choice for gardeners of all levels.
- Cold hardiness: It is resilient in colder climates and can survive in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, making it suitable for a variety of gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Natural Dyes - Philadelphus 'Virginal' bark can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics and paper, offering a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- Landscape Photography - With its abundant white flowers, Mock Orange serves as an excellent subject for garden and nature photographers seeking a classic spring bloom.
- Educational Tool - Botany teachers and educators can use Mock Orange to demonstrate plant anatomy, pollination, and plant lifecycle to students.
- Floral Artistry - The branches and flowers of Mock Orange can be incorporated into floral arrangements and botanical art for their structure and fragrance.
- Habitat Enrichment - Offering shelter and food, the dense foliage and flowers of Mock Orange can be planted to enhance the habitat for local wildlife, particularly birds and beneficial insects.
- Scented Gardens - Mock Orange is an ideal choice for creating a scented garden or as part of a sensory garden experience due to its strong, pleasant fragrance.
- Instrument Craft - The wood from Mock Orange is sometimes used by artisan craftsmen to make small instruments or parts of instruments, like flutes or recorders.
- Eco-Friendly Crafting - The stems and dried flowers of Mock Orange can be used in eco-friendly craft projects like homemade potpourri or natural decorative elements.
- Windbreaks - Dense and robust, Mock Orange shrubs can be planted in rows to serve as windbreaks to protect smaller, more delicate plants.
- Perfumery - While not a common source for commercial perfumes, the blossoms of Mock Orange can be used in homemade perfumes and scented oils.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mock Orange is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mock Orange is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The 'Virginal' variety of Philadelphus, commonly known as Mock Orange, is often associated with purity, likely due to its pristine white flowers and its name suggesting virginity.
- Innocence: Mock Orange's white blossoms are also symbolic of innocence, representing simplicity and cleanliness.
- Memory: The plant is sometimes connected to memory, possibly because of its striking and memorable scent.
- Eternal Love: Mock Orange's enduring and sweet fragrance may be considered a symbol of everlasting love, a testament to relationships that stand the test of time.
- Peace: Its tranquil appearance and the calming presence of its foliage and blossoms can symbolize peace and provide a sense of serenity.
WaterThe Mock Orange or Philadelphus 'Virginal' should be watered deeply to ensure that the water reaches the root zone, typically by using a garden hose or a watering can with a long spout. In general, during the growing season, water the plant once a week, providing the equivalent of about 1 inch of rainfall, which translates roughly to 0.6 gallons per square yard. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings to avoid waterlogging. In periods of drought, increase watering frequency, but in cooler weather or when the plant is dormant, reduce the frequency. Always adjust watering based on rainfall and soil moisture content to avoid overwatering.
LightMock Orange thrives in a location with full sun to partial shade. The plant prefers to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, but it can also tolerate some light afternoon shade. The best spot for your Mock Orange would be an area that gets bright morning light, which will encourage the most prolific blooming.
TemperatureMock Orange is hardy and versatile, with the ability to survive in a wide range of temperatures, but it flourishes in temperate conditions. This shrub can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit, and in summer, it can handle heat up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, the Mock Orange prefers temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth.
PruningPrune the Mock Orange immediately after its blooming period ends in early summer to encourage healthy growth and blossoming for the following season. Cut back approximately one-third of the old wood to promote new growth and improve air circulation. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Pruning should be done annually to maintain the plant's shape and to rejuvenate the shrub by encouraging new, vigorous growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMock Orange prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix for Philadelphus 'Virginal' would include a combination of loam, compost, and a small amount of perlite to aid drainage.
RepottingMock Orange is typically grown in the ground and does not require regular repotting. However, if it's grown in a container, repotting every 2-3 years can be beneficial to refresh the soil.
Humidity & MistingMock Orange does not require high humidity and can thrive in the average humidity levels found outdoors. It is fairly tolerant of different humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Mock Orange is best grown outdoors; indoor growth is not recommended.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, provide space for max growth, ensure drainage.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Mock Orange 'Virginal' begins with seed germination, typically in spring, when the soil temperatures rise and conditions become favorable for growth. The seedling stage follows, marked by the development of the first set of true leaves and establishment of the root system. As the plant enters the vegetative growth stage, it develops a robust woody structure and foliage over the years, focusing on increasing its size and strength. During the blooming stage, usually between late spring and early summer, 'Virginal' produces its fragrant, white double flowers, attracting pollinators. After the flowering period, the plant sets seeds, completing its reproductive cycle, although 'Virginal', like many cultivars, may often have reduced seed set or be mainly propagated through cuttings. The final stage is the dormancy period during the cooler months, when the plant conserves energy, preparing for the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
Propogation: The Mock Orange 'Virginal' is commonly propagated by softwood cuttings during its active growth period in late spring to early summer. The most popular method involves taking a cutting about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long from the tip of a healthy, non-flowering branch. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed, and the cut end may be dipped in a rooting hormone powder or gel to encourage root development. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a mix of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring that the nodes where the leaves were removed are buried. The pot should be kept in a warm, humid environment with indirect light and the soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new Mock Orange plants can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before being transplanted outdoors.
