Philadelphus coronarius Kostelec WB - Mock Orange

The Philadelphus coronarius 'Kostelec WB' is a dwarf variety of garden mock orange with rare golden foliage in cultivation. This small-sized bush has golden foliage throughout the season and a perfectly hemispherical habit with a neat appearance. This variety offers the divinely scented white flowering that we love so much in the Philadelphus coronarius in June. Its modest dimensions, charm, and brightness allow for numerous uses in the ground and containers.

The Philadelphus coronarius 'Kostelec WB' was discovered in Kostelec in the Czechia as a witches' broom that appeared on a classic mock orange. Belonging to the hydrangea family, the Philadelphus coronarius, also known as mock orange or poets' jasmine, is a botanical species native to southern Europe and Asia Minor. The 'Kostelec WB' cultivar is an ornamental deciduous bush with slow growth and shallow rooting, whose brown bark does not peel with age. It naturally forms a wide and regular ball. Its branching is dense, and its young shoots are flexible. It reaches a height of 1.50 m (5ft) and a width of 1.75 m (6ft) at maturity. From early June to early July, it is adorned with bouquets of single flowers with four petals, cream-white and 2.5 cm (1in) in diameter, white and golden-yellow stamens and a powerful fragrance. In this 'Kostelec WB' variety, the flowers are less numerous than the standard type and stand out less against the yellow foliage. The foliage is highly decorative. The leaves are oval, 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) long, pointed, and bordered by tiny teeth. The colour of its bright foliage is a golden-yellow that turns very slightly to chartreuse green in summer. This deciduous foliage falls in autumn.

This golden mock orange, suitable for all types of gardens and easy to grow, is ideal for beginner gardeners. It prefers a partially shaded exposure in the afternoon to protect its foliage. This small bush will be perfect as a focal point in the centre of a flowerbed, in the background of flower borders, in combination with other bushes, or even grown in containers. Plant it near the house, patio, or pathways to enjoy its intense fragrance. When planted in partial shade, it will illuminate any setting with the golden colour of its foliage and the whiteness of its flowers. Create beautiful contrasts by placing them near bushes with purple or bronze leaves, such as Physocarpus. Since its flowering period is relatively short, consider associating it with bushes that bloom earlier or later in the season (Deutzia 'Yuki Snowflake', Weigela 'Big Love'). Let a small herbaceous clematis climb in its branches to give it a wild and charming touch. It also pairs well with perennial plants with colourful foliage.

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