Philadelphus coronarius Variegatus - Mock Orange

The Philadelphus coronarius Variegatus is a deciduous bush with a remarkable flowering in late spring, creamy white, on a magnificent light green foliage variegated with cream, which will intoxicate the garden with its enchanting fragrance. Sublime! 

Belonging to the Hydrangea family, the Philadelphus coronarius, also known as Seringat or Poet's Jasmine, is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. Variegated Seringat is an ornamental deciduous bush with a shallow root system, whose brown bark tends to peel off with age. It forms an upright and rigid ball with abundant and vigorous growth. Its main branches are well erect, and its secondary branches are more arched and loose. Of medium size, it measures up to 2.50 m (8ft) in height and 2 m (7ft) in width. In late spring and early summer, it is adorned with clusters of single 4-petaled flowers, creamy white, 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, with white and golden yellow stamens, highly fragrant. This Variegatus cultivar is characterised by an extremely decorative light green foliage irregularly margined with cream. Its slightly aromatic leaves are ovate and finely toothed, with a glaucous underside bearing some hairs towards the base, and measure from 4 to 9 cm (2 to 4in). 

This Variegated Poet's Jasmine is suitable for all types of gardens. It is straightforward to grow and ideal for beginner gardeners; it enjoys being planted in sunny or semi-shaded positions in ordinary, even chalky soil. It has a relatively slow but regular growth, making it perfect as a standalone specimen, in the background of mixed borders, in association with other shrubs, in a flowering country hedge, or even grown in a container. 

Consider planting it near the house, terrace, or pathways to enjoy its intense fragrance. Planting in partial shade will illuminate the garden with the green and cream colour of its foliage and the whiteness of its flowers. Create sumptuous foliage contrasts by placing it near other shrubs. As its flowering period is relatively short, consider associating it with shrubs that flower earlier or later (Deutzia, Buddleia, Forsythia, Caryopteris, False Aralia...). Allowing a clematis or a climbing rose with flexible branches to climb in its slightly rigid branches will give a wild and charming look to your seringat. Its white flowering also allows beautiful combinations of perennial plants with blue flowers (or white flowers for an evening garden).

In ancient Persia, the white and fragrant flowers of Philadelphus coronarius were used to make scented crowns.

This variety was awarded the Award of Garden Merit in 1993, which corresponds to the Gold Medal of the plant world, by the Royal Horticultural Society.