Philadelphus inodorus

Common Names

Scentless Mock Orange, Mock Orange, Appalachian Mock Orange

Summary

Philadelphus inodorus, commonly called Scentless Mock Orange, is a deciduous shrub in the Hydrangeaceae family native to the southeastern United States. It has an arching, multi‑stemmed habit and exfoliating bark that reveals an orange‑brown color on older stems. The plant typically grows about 6–12 feet tall and 6–8 feet wide and bears white, cup‑shaped flowers about 1.75–2 inches in diameter in late spring to early summer.

It prefers full sun to partial shade and well‑drained, moist soils enriched with organic matter, though it is adaptable to other soils and tolerates drought, heat, and humidity. Hardy in USDA zones 5a through 10b. Uses include borders, screens, informal hedges, woodland‑edge plantings, slope stabilization, and naturalization; it is pollinated by bees. Propagation is possible by seed or softwood cuttings, and pruning after flowering helps maintain shape, with older growth one‑third removed to rejuvenate plants.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-12 feet

Spread

72-96 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun. Tolerates Partial Sun and Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained loamy soil with a pH around 6.5.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, moist loamy soil with organic matter

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral soil

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Softwood cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts birds