Habitat

• native to southern Europe
• hardy to zone 4

Habit and Form

• a deciduous shrub
• multistemmed
• 8' to 10' tall or larger
• rounded shape
• stiff, upright, branches that spread and arch over somewhat
• becomes leggy and open at base with age

Summer Foliage

• opposite, simple leaves
• 2.3" to 3.2" long
• 0.5" to 1.5" wide
• very slight teeth along the margins
• dark green or medium green color
• wide leaf spacing along stem

Autumn Foliage

• poor
• leaves fall green or yellowish-green

Flowers

• white
• 4-petaled
• fragrant
• stamens yellow
• 1' to 1.5" across
• in 5 to 7-flowered clusters
• bloom time is late May to early June

Fruit

• a persistent capsule
• 4-valved

Bark

• exfoliating in strips
• orange or reddish brown

Culture

• full sun is best; light shade tolerated
• easily transplanted and established
• soil and pH adaptable
• prefers moist, well-drained soils high in organic matter
• may benefit from occasional rejuvenation pruning

Landscape Use

• shrub borders
• screen ( in full sun with pruning)
• for fragrant flowers
• older-single-flowered forms more fragrant than new hybrids

Liabilities

• aphids
• canker
• leaf spot
• needs rejuvenation pruning or pruning for shaping
• leaf miners
• no disease or insect is particularly problematic

ID Features

• 4-petaled fragrant flowers
• exfoliating reddish or orange bark
• persistent 4-valved capsule
• opposite leaf scars with buds hidden beneath the leaf scars

Propagation

• by cuttings
• by seed

Cultivars/Varieties

'Aurens' - This form has yellow foliage that matures in summer to yellow-green. The flowers are single and the plant probably is not as cold-hardy as the species.

'Nanus' (also known as 'Pumilus') - Perhaps an umbrella name for a number of dwarf forms, this plant is a dense, dwarf grower to 4' tall. The foliage is deep green and the plant flowers less profusely than the species.

'Variegatus' - A handsome variegated plant, this selection features leaves attractively edged with creamy white. It does not grow as vigorously or large as the the species.

Philadelphus coronarius has been used as a parent in many hybrids with other Philadelphus species. Numerous cultivars have been named. Below are listed some of the more popular and widely grown cultivars of hybrid origin.

Philadelphus x lemoinei

'Avalanche' - This is a low-growing selection reaching 3.5' tall, with arching branches. The flowers are single and very fragrant, about 1" across.

'Belle Etoile' - A 6' tall shrub, this selection features single white flowers with a central darker blotch. The blooms are fragrant.

'Innocence' - One of the more fragrant forms, this selection grows 8' tall and sports single white blooms. The leaves may appear slightly variegated.

Philadelphus x virginalis

'Minnesota Snowflake' - A popular selection, this plant grows 6' tall and wide and features double, pure white blooms that are fragrant and 2" wide.

'Virginal' - An old-fashioned cultivar, this variety produces double blooms with intense fragrance. It grows to 10' tall.

Miscellaneous hybrids

'Miniature Snowflake' - A sport of 'Minnesota Snowflake', this dwarf plant grows densely to only 4' tall with a smaller spread. The white blooms are double and fragrant, while the foliage is dark green.

'Natchez' - Widely considered one of the best selections, this plant is covered with 2" white, fragrant blooms in May. It is an upright grower to 10' tall. Reports indicate susceptibility to leaf spot under poor cultural conditions.