Philadelphus

(Philadelphus lewisii) in habitat Most are deciduous but a few species from the south of the genus' range are evergreen. The leaves are opposite, simple, with serrated margins, from 0.5-6 inches (1–14 cm) long. The flowers are white, with four petals and sepals, 0.5-2 inches (1–4 cm) diameter, and commonly (but not in all species) sweetly scented. The fruit is a small capsule, containing numerous small seeds. The bark is thin and flaky, finely shredding in longitudinal strips. ==Ecology==

Mock-oranges are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the engrailed (Ectropis crepuscularia). A noted pathogen of the sweet mock-orange (P. coronarius) is the undescribed proteobacterium called "Pseudomonas tomato" (pv. philadelphi). ==Cultivation==

For a long time, Philadelphus coronarius was the only mock-orange of gardens, though some adventurous Americans grew the native P. inodorus that Mark Catesby had discovered growing on the banks of the Savannah River. It appeared in Lady Skipwith's garden lists and George Washington ordered some from Bartram in 1792. Mock-oranges are popular shrubs in parks and gardens, grown for their reliable display of late spring flowers; the scented species are particularly valued. In addition to the species, there are numerous garden origin hybrids and cultivars available, selected for doubleness and large flowers, with some compromise as to scent. AGM cultivars The following hybrid cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:- • 'Aureus' (P. coronarius) • 'Belle Étoile' • 'Innocence' • 'Sybille' • 'Variegatus' (P. coronarius) ==In culture==

Lewis' mock-orange (P. lewisii) is the state flower of Idaho. "Mock orange" is one of the most famous poems by the Nobel Prize winning poet Louise Glück. ==Selected species==

, Philadelphus karwinskyanus , Philadelphus laxus , Philadelphus pubescens '' Asia • Philadelphus brachybotrys (southeast China) • Philadelphus delavayi – Delavay's mock-orange (southwest China) • Philadelphus incanus (Hubei, Shaanxi) • Philadelphus kansuensis – Chinese evergreen mock-orange (northwest China) • Philadelphus laxiflorus (Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi) • Philadelphus laxus Schrad. ex DC. – Japanese mock-orange (Japan; formerly P. satsumi • Philadelphus purpurascens (southwest China) • Philadelphus satsumanus – Downy Japanese mock-orange (Japan) • Philadelphus schrenkii – Korean mock-orange (northeast China, Korea, southeast Russia) • Philadelphus sericanthus (Sichuan, Hubei) • Philadelphus pekinensis – Beijing mock-orange (northern China) • Philadelphus subcanus (southwest China) • Philadelphus tenuifolius – Slenderleaf mock-orange (Korea, southeast Russia) • Philadelphus tomentosus – Fuzzy mock-orange (Himalaya) • Philadelphus triflorus – Himalayan mock-orange (Himalaya) Europe • Philadelphus caucasicus – Caucasus mock-orange (Caucasus) – likely syn. of P. coronarius • Philadelphus coronarius – Sweet mock-orange, English Dogwood (southeast Europe) North America Pancontinental hybrids • Philadelphus × lemoinei (horticultural hybrid) • Philadelphus × purpureomaculatus (horticultural hybrid) • Philadelphus × virginalis (horticultural hybrid) ==References==