About

The flowers are very scented with white petals opening from a dark red calyx. A deciduous shrub to about 2m, the branches upright in their first year then arching over in bloom in their second. The stems are red-brown in winter.

About the 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

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; well suited to a woodland setting
PruningCut back flowered branches to the ground after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews