Common Name: Mock Orange

General Information

Philadelphus coronarius is a deciduous shrub with erect stems, it can grow up to 4 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a soap. It is sometimes cultivated for its essential oil and is often grown as an ornamental, valued for its fragrant flowers and grown as a hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

W. Asia - northeast Turkey to the Caucasus

Habitat

Scrub and woodland on warm rocky hills and screes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Philadelphus coronarius is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[, ].
A very easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately fertile soil, and also in thin soils over chalk[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates poor soils[]. Succeeds in semi-shade but prefers a position in full sun where it will flower more freely[, ].
The flowers are very aromatic[] with a strong orange aroma[]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, one third of the stems can be cut down to the ground each year in order to promote fresh growth and heavier flowering[].
Fast growing[]. Plants are inclined to send up suckers and can form thickets[].
Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[].
Plants can harbour blackfly[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

The leaves are rich in saponins[], when crushed and mixed with water they produce a lather that is an effective cleaner, used on the body, clothes etc. You can wash your hands by merely picking a couple of leaves or a bunch of blossom, wetting your hands and then rubbing the plant material vigorously as if it was a bar of soap[]. This soap is a very gentle cleaner that does not remove the body's natural oils, but does remove dirt. It is not very effective against oil[].
The leaves can also be used as a duster and a wood polish[].

The flowers are the source of an essential oil[].
An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best if given 1 months cold stratification[]. Sow late winter in a light position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long side-shoots, mid summer in a shaded frame. Plant out in spring. High percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm with a heel, December in a sheltered bed outdoors. Fair to good percentage[].
Layering in summer. Very easy.