Philadelphus coronarius Aureus - Mock Orange

Philadelphus coronarius 'Aureus' or Golden Mock Orange, is a deciduous bush, whose remarkable late spring white-cream flowering, on a magnificent golden foliage, will intoxicate the garden with its enchanting fragrance. Sublime!

Belonging to the Hydrangea family, Philadelphus coronarius also known as Mock Orange or Poet's Jasmine, is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. The Golden Mock Orange is an ornamental deciduous bush, with 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 very upright and its secondary branches are more arched and loose. Of medium size, it measures up to 2m (7ft 6in) high and 1.50m (5ft) wide. In late spring and early summer, it is adorned with clusters of single 4-petalled flowers, white-cream in colour, 2.5cm (1in) in size, with white and golden yellow stamens, very powerfully scented. This 'Aureus' variety compensates for a less abundant flowering than the typical species, with an extremely decorative foliage. Its leaves are ovate and finely toothed, with a glaucous underside bearing some hairs towards the base, and measure from 4 to 9cm (1.6 - 3.5in). The colour of its foliage, very bright and vibrant, is yellow-golden in spring on young shoots, turning chartreuse green in summer, and adorned with exceptional colours in autumn.

This Golden Poet's Jasmine, suitable for all types of gardens, very easy to grow and ideal for beginner gardeners, enjoys being planted in a sunny or semi-shaded position in ordinary soil, even limestone. Of fairly slow but regular growth, it will be perfect as a standalone specimen, in the background of mixed borders, in association with other bushes, in a flowering country hedge, or even grown in a container. Consider planting it near the house, terrace, or pathways to fully enjoy its intense fragrance. Planted in semi-shade, it will illuminate the garden with the yellow colour of its foliage and the whiteness of its flowers. Create sumptuous foliage contrasts by placing it near bushes with purple, bronze leaves... Since its flowering is quite brief, consider associating it with bushes that flower earlier or later. Letting a clematis or a shrub rose with flexible branches climb in its somewhat stiff branches will give a wild and charming touch to your mock orange. It also allows beautiful associations with perennial plants with colorful foliage.

This variety was awarded the Award of Garden Merit in 1993, which corresponds to the gold medal of the plant world awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society.
In ancient Persia, the white and scented flowers of Philadelphus coronarius were used to make fragrant crowns.