Mock orange?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Total newbie.

I want to plant a cottage garden. I'd like a mock orange in a corner to hide the fence & provide height.

Are they easy to grow in your expierience?.

Do you mean a Philadelphus? I have one in exactly the position you describe. I’d wait to plant it towards the end of the summer if you can, the soil will be warm and it can get some roots down before winter. In any event put some fertiliser in the hole and keep watering well.
Mines been in about 18 months and doing well.
I bought a plant about 90 cms high and it’s grown about half again. It flowered this year and I intend to prune it so that it’s no more than a couple of metres high.

Mock Orange reminds me of my Dad's garden when I was a little girl - he didn't like gardening and chose it precisely because it is an easy plant to grow. I have a space in my garden and I now know what I want to plant - thank you.

Your welcome Tea.

How much of a gap do I need to leave between the fence and the plant?

Mine has about 30 cms between the main stem and the corner and sides.

I want the virginal one, it's rather large. Would I be sensible to leave more room?.

Are there different varieties? We’ve got two either end of the garden that are about six foot tall and a tree in the middle that looks exactly like them and flowers at the same time and is about fifteen foot tall.

Yes I've found about half a dozen. I need a space filler that's evergreen.

Ours aren’t evergreen.

I’ve got two same as MsAdorabelle. One about 15ft tall the other smaller and more shrubby. I think they were planted at the same time but couldn’t work out why the difference.

How much do you prune them in winter?

I prune straight after flowering. The next year’s flowers are made on this summer’s new growth, so don’t prune in winter, you’ll remove the flower shoots.

If you want evergreen then I think you need Choisya, not Philadelphus. They are very different plants, but both smell gorgeous.

Choisya is very easy to grow. It's basically a flowering hedge.

My mistake, philadelphus virginal is deciduous.

Choisya, is also known as Mexican Orange blossom. It is evergreen and comes in a darkish green leaf type and a lime green leaf type.
It’s a great plant for back border structure.
I’ve one that disguises the coal bunker! Easily grown and pruned to shape. Once again prune after flowering.

Your right, I should put a Choisya in instead. It's less prone to pests too.

I went for the lime green choisya and it looks lovely in-between hydrangeas and the camellia. Doesn't seem to be quick grower but I'm too impatient!