Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii sp.) is a native long-lived deciduous shrub that is an attractive addition to the home garden.   It can be spotted more in the Okanagan Valley than in the drier grasslands of the Kamloops hills.  Our home garden mock orange shrubs started as a purchased cultivar.    It grew to about 3 m and produced beautiful and fragrant flowers near the summer solstice for years.    Root sections were taken, and there are now several smaller shrubs on the borders of the gardens.

Mock orange is an erect shrub that rounds a bit as it reaches its maximum height.    Long reddish stems turn grey over time and some bark is shed as it ages.   Stems and branches freely grow and fill out into a loose mass.   The opposite leaves are somewhat oval and rough to the touch.

The shrub has numerous white showy flowers in clusters.   Each blossom will have 4 white petals and numerous yellow stamens.    At its peak period, the shrub has a sweet scent, reminiscent of orange blossoms.

All images taken by the author, from the home garden.    Click an image for a lightbox view.

After flowering, capsules form and many small seeds are dispersed in the fall.    The leaves fall over winter.   In early spring we lightly prune the top branches to maintain shape, and cut off any older branches usually at the bottom.    It may need a harder pruning every few years.   Overall, mock orange is a low-maintenance shrub that can be used as a tall good border feature.    The wood is strong and the shrub is impervious to snow and wind damage.    It has been a reliable and rewarding shrub in our home garden.