About

A free-flowering upright deciduous shrub about 1.5m tall, with arching branches bearing oval dark green leaves to 4cm long. Large, lightly-scented single or semi-double white flowers to 6cm across, appear in racemes of 3-7, in early summer, the branches often bowed and weighed down with flowers.

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, Loam, Clay, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in any fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. See philadelphus cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews