Comments on: Philadelphus for Pretty White Blooms

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:34:04 +0000

Hi# 13, I haven’t had to prune my blizzard mockorange yet, as it is relatively young, has a nice shape and is blooming well. I would take out dead, damaged or diseased branches any time I saw them, by cutting them back to where they branch from.

For more regular pruning, I would prune it just after the flowers fade. In my garden that’s around mid to the end of July, but might be earlier where you are. If there were any awkward branches that stick out unusually in the way, I would prune those back to where they branch from. If the shrub is older, crowded or tangled, you can prune a few of the oldest branches (thicker and more established) right back to their base.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:17:51 +0000

Could someone please tell me how to prune my blizzard mockorange? First time I’ve had it and can’t seem to find advice. All comments welcome – thank you in advance! Sheila

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:03:55 +0000

Pomona, my P. virginalis (common mockorange) has very few buds on it, which are just about to open. It hasn’t had any flowers up to now, so no chance to make mockorange fruit.

Whereas the Blizzard mockorange is a real focal point right now in the garden with all of its petals. It has bloomed every year.

Edmonton is one of the few places that still has a healthy elm population. Some of the older neighbourhoods still have elm lined streets.

By: Pomona Belvedere

Pomona Belvedere — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Your ‘Blizzard’ mock orange does seem much more floriferous than the taller mockoranges I remember as a child. If I recall, those mock oranges grew under on an elm-shaded avenue (back when there were elms); I don’t know how much shade contributed to the scanty flowering, but they were tall healthy plants.

Does Blizzard make mock orange fruit? I remember playing with them as a kid, they looked like baseballs made of green squiggly brains. Rather heavy and hard, so if you have the tall kind, don’t plant them in a place you’d sit under.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:17:01 +0000

Swimray, as I was working in the garden today, I kept walking by this Philadelphus, and I really enjoyed the fragrance, and pretty blooms.

Shady Gardener, I know they can take part shade, but I don’t know if other types of mockorange take as much shade as this one. I’ve been very pleased with how well Blizzard has accepted the conditions and flowered so prolifically.

By: Shady Gardener

Shady Gardener — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:17:29 +0000

Northern Shade, I’ve never had a mock orange. They’re very pretty, aren’t they? I didn’t know these would tolerate so much shade. I’m going to have to look into them. Thanks! :-)

By: Swimray

Swimray — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:27:00 +0000

I think you have just solved the questions of what else to plant in my new side yard garden.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:09:53 +0000

Joanne, I noticed the fragrance from the Philadelphus much more today, and the scent seemed to be carrying farther. It might be because it’s been raining off and on, or perhaps more flowers are fully open. It was very sweet.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:27:30 +0000

So many flowers on your Philadelphus so the perfume most be wonderful

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:36:21 +0000

Joy, although they can take part shade, I think that too much shade really cuts into the blooms of some mockorange. I suspect that this particular version, Philadelphus lewisii ‘Blizzard’ is just a more reliable bloomer. It seems to take the shade and the cold better, and still put on a great flower show. My Philadelphus virginalis just does not bloom well.

I actually don’t fertilize mine, but I don’t fertilize any of my plants, except with the recycled garden plant matter, mostly leaves, tree debris, and decomposing mulches.

Jackie, I really like this shrub for early summer. It is making a wall of white blooms now, and it’s a delight to walk by.