Philadelphus Snowbelle - Mock Orange

The Philadelphus Snowbelle is a variety of mock orange with a rounded and compact habit that is distinguished by its particularly abundant double flowering in late spring. Its lightly scented flowers, which resemble white pom-poms, are so numerous that they almost hide the vegetation of this bush and gracefully bend its branches under their weight. Like all mock oranges, 'Snowbelle' is robust, hardy, and very easy to grow in ordinary soil, in full sun or partial shade. Plant it in a rustic flower bed or in a small free hedge, under a window, or even in a large container on the terrace!

The Philadelphus are all deciduous shrubs native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly East Asia and North America. The approximately 60 species that make up this genus were first crossed in France by Lemoine and Jacques, and then in the United States, with the fragrance of the flowers sometimes being forgotten in favour of more spectacular, double blooms. Not demanding, mock oranges can sometimes take a while to establish. They should be regularly pruned after flowering, removing the oldest stems, to maintain a beautiful habit and ensure good flowering.

The Snowbelle mock orange is a horticultural hybrid obtained in 1961 by D.R. Sampson, in Ottawa, Canada. It is a bushy shrub with a dense and slightly arching habit, reaching an average of 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in all directions at maturity. It flowers in May-June depending on the climate. Its white flowers have up to 15 petals. They are rarely solitary, most often gathered in small clusters of 2 to 5 charming flowers. They are particularly numerous and emit a lightly intense scent reminiscent of orange blossom, which certainly explains why it is also called the "poet's jasmine". Its small, deciduous leaves are dark green, slightly toothed, and 3 to 5 cm (1.2 to 2 in) long. They are entire, arranged oppositely on the branches, and characterized by their ovate shape, pointed tip, and lighter longitudinal veins running through the blade. The foliage turns yellow and falls in autumn.

This Snowbelle mock orange, suitable for all types of gardens and very easy to grow, is ideal for beginner gardeners. It tolerates ordinary, even chalky and dry soil in summer. With a modest stature and a lovely rounded shape, it will be perfect in the background of perennial flower beds, in combination with other shrubs, at the forefront of a flowering rustic hedge, or even cultivated in a container on the terrace or balcony. Plant it near the house, terrace, or pathways to fully enjoy its intense fragrance. Planted in partial shade, it will illuminate the garden with the whiteness of its flowers. As its flowering period is relatively short, consider associating it with shrubs that bloom earlier or later (such as Deutzia, Buddleia, Forsythia, Caryopteris, lilacs). Let a small clematis climb in its branches, surround it with a The Fairy rose (in pink, red, or white), they will give a wild and charming touch to your composition. Its white flowering also allows for beautiful combinations with perennial plants that bloom in blue or white.