Philadelphus - Mock Orange

The mock orange, Philadelphus in Latin, undoubtedly deserves its other name of Poet's Jasmine, embodied by the famous Philadelphus coronarius cultivated in gardens for its fragrance. This deciduous bush, one of the most fragrant in the garden, offers white flowers that diffuse in late spring or early summer a fragrance that is more or less sweet or captivating, invariably reminiscent of orange blossom. In all old gardens, whether in the plains, mountains, countryside or cities, a disheveled mock orange used to reign, with no ornamental pretensions, but indispensable for 'the fragrance'. Of variable size, with green or variegated foliage, this insignificant bush in winter reveals itself in the beautiful season, with the gold medal for fragrance going to ancient varieties with single flowers like 'Innocence'. The double-flowered hybrids, although often less fragrant, have a real decorative value. The mock orange, from the hydrangea family, should not be confused with the lilac, Syringa in Latin, belonging to the olive family. These two very accommodating bushes are nevertheless essential in a garden of scents. Philadelphus is a hardy plant, resistant to drought and diseases, which will thrive in any ordinary soil, it is almost foolproof. Plant it not far from the house, but rather in the second or third row of an informal hedge, as it has a rather ordinary appearance outside of flowering.