Description
Philadelphus maculatus (formerly microphyllus var. madrensis) | Desert Mountain Mock Orange
Desert Mountain Mock Orange, also known as Madrean Mock Orange and Sierra Madre Mock Orange, is a medium-sized, deciduous, drought-tolerant flowering shrub native to the dry, mountainous regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, named after the Sierra Madre Mountains from which it was originally found by Berthold Carl Seemann in 1846.
It bears small, pendulous, highly fragrant white flowers with deep red centers and purple calyces with an exceedingly wonderful aroma of grape candy/grape kool-aid which carries far in the air. Many would agreeit’s the most aromatic of any Mock Orange species, so plant it where the scented flowers can be enjoyed. We planted ours by the front door at both of our past two homes. Blooms from late May into June. Prune after flowering or cut back to the ground if overgrown.
While this shrub is adaptable to a range of conditions including drought, it prefers sunny locations and does not tolerate poor drainage.
Mock Oranges are generally not susceptible to any serious pests or diseases, and do well with little attention, plus they’re easy to transplant. Pruning should only be done right after the flowers finish.
Cut branches make excellent long-lasting floral arrangements. Just make sure not to trim off too much because it blooms on ‘old wood; (growth from the previous year).
Deer-resistant and pollinator-friendly.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to light shade
Mature height: 4-5 ft
Mature width: 3–4 ft
Hardiness zones: 7-10
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