Philadelphus lemoinei - Mock Orange

Philadelphus 'Lemoinei' is the first hybrid Mock Orange variety that we owe to Victor Lemoine, but also one of the most fragrant. An illustrious ancestor of many varieties, this graceful bush with an upright habit offers an abundance of single, beautifully scented white cup-shaped flowers that gently weigh down the slender branches in early summer. Not very tall, truly undemanding and very hardy, simple and full of charm, it finds a place in all gardens, even the smallest ones. Plant it in groups of 3 to 5 specimens in a large group or in a small informal hedge, along a pathway, under a window or even in a large container on the terrace!

All Philadelphus are deciduous shrubs native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly East Asia and North America. The approximately 60 species that make up this genus were first crossed with each other in France by Jacques, then Lemoine and later in the United States, with the fragrance of the flowers sometimes being forgotten along the way in favour of more spectacular, double blooms. Very easy to grow in ordinary soil, mock oranges can sometimes take a little longer to establish. They should be regularly pruned after flowering, removing the oldest stems, to maintain a beautiful habit and ensure good flowering.

The Lemoine mock orange is a horticultural hybrid obtained in 1884 by Victor Lemoine (1823-1911), a brilliant hybridizer from Nancy, also known for his lilacs, clematis and shrubby peonies, many of which still exist and remain unmatched. This variety is derived from Philadelphus coronarius, native to southern Europe, and P. microphyllus, native to northern Mexico and southwestern United States. All these plants belong to the hydrangea family.
The Lemoine mock orange is a bushy shrub with brown wood and a dense habit, developing upright main stems carrying slender, slightly trailing secondary branches. Slow-growing, it reaches an average height of 1.5 metres (5 feet) with a spread of 1 metre (3 feet). In June-July, a multitude of small, single flowers open, 2.5 cm (1in) wide, with a maximum of 8 white petals arranged in a cup around a pale yellow stamen centre. They are gathered in small clusters of 3 to 5 flowers exhaling an intense fragrance reminiscent of orange blossom. Its small, deciduous leaves are medium green, slightly toothed, 5 cm (2in) long. They are entire, arranged opposite on the branches and characterized by their ovate shape, pointed tips, and lighter longitudinal veins running through the leaves.


Mock oranges, outside their flowering period, are shrubs of rather modest appearance that are best associated with other plants that flower at different times. Adaptable to all types of gardens and very easy to grow, they are suitable for beginner gardeners. They appreciate being planted in sunny or semi-shaded positions and will thrive in ordinary, even chalky, soil. With a modest stature and the charm of wild plants, the Lemoine mock orange is perfect for the background of mixed borders, mixed with other shrubs, in a countryside hedge with flowers, or even grown in containers on the terrace or balcony. Plant it near the house, terrace or pathways to fully enjoy its intense fragrance. When planted in partial shade, it will illuminate the garden with the whiteness of its flowers. As its flowering period is rather short, consider associating it with shrubs that bloom earlier or later (Deutzia, Buddleia, Forsythia, Caryopteris, lilacs, False Aralia...). Allow a small clematis to climb in its branches, surround it with a Fairy rose (pink, red or white), and they will give a wild and charming look to your composition. Its white flowering also allows for beautiful combinations with perennial plants that bloom in blue (or white, for the beauty of a pristine garden).