Snow White™ Mockorange

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(3+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

5-6 Feet

Mature Spread

4-5 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Mockorange shrubs are some of the most loved flowering bushes of spring. With a scent resembling oranges and snow white double blooms, Snow White Mockorange (Philadelphus) will delight as a classic garden plant. Their highly aromatic flowers attract early pollinators and are lovely additions to a floral arrangement. Flowers first appear in late spring, with another flush in late summer. Snow White™ is more tolerant of heat and humidity, and the foliage remains fresh until the first frost in the fall. The fully double-white flowers cover the length of the branches. The fountain shape provides foliage to the ground, so there is less need to plant perennials or other plants in front as cover for bare stems. 

Once a treasure of cottage gardens, Mockoranges lacked the seasonal interest of other shrubs. But in recent years, hybridizers have developed new Mockoranges that draw all their best qualities into single plants. Snow White™ Mockorange is a hybrid cultivar that has good winter hardiness and produces two flushes of flowers through the growing season. Philadelphus x virginalis ‘Snow White’ is the more compact variety of ‘Minnesota Snowflake’. With a shorter height and slower growth habit, it will easily fit into just about any size garden. The shrub is deer resistant and the floral aroma attracts pollinators.

Hardy in zones 4 through 9, this mockorange will grow to nearly 6 feet high and up to 5 feet wide in a graceful, arching form. Be sure to plant your mockorange where you frequently spend time outdoors, even near your front entry, so you can delight in the flowers’ scent. Although one Snow White Mockorange is stunning, planting in a group will produce a spectacular appearance and fragrance. Snow White™ Mockorange also makes for a lovely informal hedge or screen. 

Snow White™ Mockorange Care

Plant your new Mockorange in spring or early fall before frost hits. Mockorange grows in either full sun or part-day shade; find a spot that receives at least 3 hours of sun a day. Neutral to alkaline soil pH is acceptable, as is average fertility soil. Dig a hole at least twice as large as the root ball in soil that drains well. Use a mulch of organic compost or arborist chips to keep the root zone cool in the summer and improve the moisture-holding ability of the soil. 

There is no need to fertilize mockorange in good soil, but improve the soil each spring by adding a new layer of compost. If you have poor soil, fertilize Mockorange early in the spring with a granular feed formulated for blooming shrubs. Look for an NPK ratio of 1-4-2 or similar. 

Water the plant often, especially during summer, in the first year. But don’t let it sit in soggy soil. One half to one inch of water a week provides enough moisture for Mockorange. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses will efficiently supply water to the root system without excessively wetting the foliage. It is somewhat drought tolerant after the first season. 

Always prune Mockorange after the first flush of flowers is over in the early summer. Mockorange blooms on old wood and forms the flower buds in the late fall of the previous year. Only remove up to one-third of the stems at any one time to allow the shrub to recover quickly. You can prune the plants fairly heavily if you want to rejuvenate them, or just remove crossing and damaged branches and prune lightly for a more natural appearance. Rejuvenation pruning is best done in the early spring, allowing quick regrowth during the summer. Blooming may be set back one to two years after rejuvenation.

Snow White™ Mockorange Spacing

Snow White™ reaches a mature height of 5-6 feet and spread of 4-5 feet. Provide plenty of space between shrubs if planting in a large group. Plant your new Snow White Mockorange about 5 feet apart and allow for plenty of air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Shrubs used for screening or informal hedging may be planted closer to provide a seamless look. If planting as a hedge, space them closer to 4 feet apart so they can grow into one another.

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