Philadelphus White Rock - Mock Orange

The Philadelphus 'White Rock' (Pekphil) is a compact bush that seduces its white and fragrant fountain-like appearance in early summer. Its long trailing branches create cascades of simple or even double white flowers that engulf the vegetation in May-June. Very floriferous from a young age, spectacular and not bulky, this variety is well suited to small gardens and container gardening to adorn the terrace or balcony. 

The genus Philadelphus belongs to the hydrangea family. The White Rock variety (Pekphil) is a relatively recent horticultural hybrid of Philadelphus (x) virginalis, among others. It is a compact bush with a low, spreading, almost weeping habit, often wider than tall, and of relatively rapid growth. At maturity, around 10 years old, it reaches an average height of 1.25 m (4ft), with a spread of 1.75 m (6ft). It flowers in June, from a young age, more or less early depending on the climate, for about 3 weeks, in a pleasant floral fragrance. Each flower, single or even semi-double, 6 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) wide, is composed of white petals surrounding quite prominent stamens. They are arranged in clusters of 3 to 5 on the distinctly drooping one-year-old branches, creating a somewhat disordered but charming fountain. The deciduous foliage appears during spring; its colour is medium to light green, depending on the nature of the soil. The leaves are entire, ovate in shape with pointed tips, slightly toothed along the edges, and traversed by almost parallel veins. They turn yellow in autumn before falling.

Philadelphus, sometimes called mock orange, are robust and perfectly hardy bushes that thrive in all types of soil. They withstand everything, even summer droughts, but prefer freshness at their base. 'White Rock', with its beautiful dome-shaped habit and spectacular flowering, is well suited for container gardening to adorn the terrace or balcony. It is also used in the composition of romantic flower beds and small hedges, free or not, but you can also choose to plant it as a standalone in a small garden. For example, associate it with shrubby lavateras, caryopteris, abelias, deutzias, bush roses, or dwarf lilacs.