The Mock Orange is a well-known group of flowering shrubs that release their desirable scent in the early summer. One should not prune too early, or they will risk losing flower buds from this year’s plants and flowers for next season; but if one waits too late (autumn), there may be insufficient time left to grow new stems with flowers on them by the following year.

You should prune your Philadelphus to enjoy a spectacular display of pure white flowers year after year. This simple procedure will ensure you have many years of stunning flower displays.

Here we show you when and how to prune your Philadelphus, so you don’t have to worry about picking the wrong date.

Philadelphus Mock Orange In Bloom

When and How to Prune Philadelphus

The secret to the perfect Mock Orange Tree is not really a secret. You just need know when and how to prune them correctly so that they can grow into healthy plants.

As soon as it has finished flowering, cut out any stems which have just flowered and prune back to about 1/3 of their length – this will ensure there are new stems produced from next year’s flower growth cycle. Make sure to get right down in there with your snips or shears.

Next, go on to remove about a third of the old stems near ground level – just a few inches above the ground. Philadelphus Avalanche, P. Beauclerk, Innocence and Virginal can be trimmed back by hard pruning – cutting just above ground level to keep their bright golden foliage looking spectacular all season long.

Reason for this pruning?

This process of hard pruning old stems will prompt the shrub to send out new basal growths, which provide a good flowering branch framework for subsequent years. To keep your bush looking fresh and vibrant, do a further pruning of a third of the old stems in later years.

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