Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Philadelphus microphyllus

little-leaf mock orange

A compact, upright, deciduous shrub with flaking, dark brown bark, small elliptical, mid- to dark green leaves and strongly fragrant white flowers in late spring or early summer.

Other common names
desert syringa
Synonyms
Philadelphus microphyllus 'A. Gray'

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 30% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green Yellow
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Hydrangeaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Philadelphus are deciduous shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and bowl-shaped, usually fragrant flowers which may be solitary or in small panicles or racemes in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Mexico, USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Plant in neutral to alkaline, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Can tolerate dryer soils once well established.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 2

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.