About this cultivar: Philadelphus microphyllus is a very dainty small-leaved species, forming a twiggy bush, originating from Northern America where it is often found in mountainous areas. It has mid to dark green leaves and strongly fragrant, cross-shaped white flowers that bloom in late spring-early summer. Position: Full sun, partial shade Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert Flowers: May, June, July Other features: Bees and Butterflies, Scented Hardiness: Fully hardy, grows well in Ballyrobert Habit: Bushy Foliage: Deciduous Height: 105 - 165 cm (3.5 - 5.5 ft) Spread: 105 - 180 cm (3.5 - 6 ft) Time to full growth: 5 to 10 years Plant type: Shrub Colour: Green, white Goes well with: -- About this genus: Philadelphus (mock-orange) is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs from 1 to 6 m tall, native to North America, Central America, Asia and (locally) in southeast Europe. They are named mock-orange in reference to their flowers, which in wild species look somewhat similar to those of oranges and lemons at first glance, and smell of orange flowers and jasmine. But Philadelphus is not closely related to jasmine quite distant indeed from oranges and lemons. An entirely misleading name for Philadelphus that is sometimes encountered is syringa; this properly refers to the lilacs, which are fairly close relatives of jasmine. The connection of the two shrubs lies in their introduction from Ottoman gardens to European ones, effected at the same time by the Holy Roman Emperor's ambassador to the Sublime Porte, Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq, who returned with both to Vienna in 1562. This classic and easy-to-grow hollow-branched shrub was used by the Turks to make pipes. Its Latin name means brotherly love and its orange-blossomlike fragrance has enhanced teas, perfumes, and almost certainly, many friends’ walks in the garden.
