Mexican Mock Orange

Mexican Mock Orange (Philadelphus mexicanus) is an evergreen shrub from Central America that is smothered in fragrant, cup-shaped white flowers each summer. It grows 1 to 2m tall and wide, and regular pruning holds it at the height you want, so it works as a flowering hedge or a border shrub. The fragrance is close to orange blossom.

Why you'll love it

• Orange blossom scent. The summer flowers perfume the air, so plant it where a path, window or seat lets you enjoy them.
• Evergreen foliage. Most philadelphus drop their leaves in winter, but this one keeps them, which suits a hedge.
• A size you control. It matures at 1 to 2m in both directions and takes pruning well, so you can hold it lower.
• A scented alternative. If you love the smell of murraya but want a different shrub, this one offers a similar fragrance.
• Copes with a light frost. A mature plant shrugs off a light overnight frost, though young plants need cover if a frost is forecast.

Where it works best

Flowering hedges. Plant 1m apart in a single row. The shrubs knit into a continuous screen of 1 to 2m, and the summer flowers give you a scented hedge rather than a plain green one.

Sunny borders. Use it at the back or the middle of a border, giving it an open position and room to breathe, with no crowding from other shrubs.

Entries, paths and outdoor rooms. Site it where the scent will reach you, such as beside a gate, a path or an outdoor setting.

Growing Mexican Mock Orange in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with a sunny spot producing heavier and longer flowering. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. Mature plants tolerate a light overnight frost, but protect young plants if a frost is forecast, and in colder districts choose a sheltered spot.

Soil. Well drained soil. It likes an open location where air moves around the branches, so avoid planting it hard against other shrubs.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first summer so the roots establish, then deeply in dry spells. A slow release fertiliser in spring supports the flowering.

Pruning. Prune after flowering, cutting back to a lower side shoot. On mature plants, remove about one in five of the older stems to ground level each year to encourage fresh flowering growth.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Mexican Mock Orange as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical way to plant a long hedge, while the potted sizes give a head start. Expect flowers once the plant has grown on to size.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Murraya care guide, for comparison
• Hedging and screening plants
• More fragrant plants
• Browse the murraya range

Common questions

Is it the same as murraya?

No. Murraya is also sold as mock orange or orange jasmine, but this is a separate shrub from a different plant family. It has white cup-shaped flowers and a similar orange blossom scent.

Can I keep it small?

Yes. It matures at 1 to 2m and responds to regular pruning, so you can hold it lower. Prune after flowering to protect next summer's blooms.

Will it cope with frost?

Mature plants come through a light overnight frost. Young plants need protection if a frost is forecast, and gardens with hard frosts should choose another shrub.