Also known as Mock Orange · 338 gardener saves
Philadelphus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Philadelphus, the genus most gardeners know as mock orange. We track 10 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 10 most-saved Philadelphus varieties
Of 10 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMinnesota Snowflake Mockorange
Philadelphus coronarius 'Minnesota Snowflake'
#2 most savedSnowbelle Mockorange
Philadelphus x virginalis 'Snowbelle'
#3 most savedSweet Mockorange
Philadelphus coronarius 'Double Mock Orange'
Goose Creek Mockorange
Philadelphus lewisii 'Goose Creek'
Belle Etoile Mockorange
Philadelphus x virginalis 'Belle Etoile'
Double-Flowering Mexican Mock Orange
Philadelphus mexicanus 'Flore Plena'
Illuminati Sparks Mockorange
Philadelphus coronarius 'Illuminati Sparks'
Mock Orange
Philadelphus virginalis 'Snowwhite Fantasy'
Blizzard Mockorange
Philadelphus lemoinei 'Blizzard'
Mockorange
Philadelphus coronarius 'Illuminati Tower'
How to grow Philadelphus
What the Philadelphus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Philadelphus year
- PruneMay and June100% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering has finished.
- FertilizeMarch100% of varieties
Apply a layer of compost or a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October50% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall to establish roots in cool weather.
- MulchMarch40% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Spring CleanupJanuary and February30% of varieties
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches before new growth starts
Do
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Fertilize annually with a balanced fertilizer
- Water regularly, especially during the first year and in dry spells.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not prune in late summer, fall, or winter.
- Do not prune before it blooms, or you will cut off the flowers.
- Avoid planting in soggy, poorly drained soil.
What goes wrong with Philadelphus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Distorted new growth, sticky honeydew on leaves. | Wash off with a strong stream of water. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs. |
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew and sooty mold | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Leaf Miners | Winding, discolored trails within the leaves. | Damage is mostly cosmetic. Remove and destroy affected leaves. Systemic insecticides can be effective but are often unnecessary. |
| Leaf Miner | Winding, discolored trails within the leaves. | Remove and destroy affected leaves. Generally cosmetic and doesn't harm the plant. Systemic insecticides can be used but are often unnecessary. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery growth on leaves. | Ensure good air circulation. Water at the base of the plant. Apply horticultural oil or a suitable fungicide. |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Philadelphus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 4-6 inch sections and remove lower leaves.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep soil consistently moist and place in indirect light.
- Roots develop in 6 weeks.
Softwood Cuttings
- In early summer, take 6-inch cuttings of new, flexible growth.
- Remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone.
- Place in a pot with moist potting mix under high humidity.
- Roots will develop in 6-8 weeks.
Philadelphus questions
How many types of Philadelphus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Philadelphus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 338 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Philadelphus grow in?
Across its varieties, Philadelphus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Philadelphus bloom?
Most Philadelphus varieties bloom in late spring, late spring to summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Philadelphus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Philadelphus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
