Mock Orange
A graceful, arching shrub grown here as a semi-formal hedge; blooms on old wood.
Care guide
Shrub used in hedge form. Arching stems with a naturally graceful habit. Moderately wind-tolerant. More realistic as a semi-formal hedge than a crisp geometric shape.
Tolerates full sun but may perform better with light afternoon relief under Draper's high-elevation sun intensity. In intense west-facing exposures, foliage can look coarse and stressed by late summer. Sandy loam with high percolation is favorable for root health. Wind can drive asymmetric growth; manage the windward side with targeted pruning.
Prefer deeper, spaced watering cycles over shallow frequent irrigation. Ensure the irrigation pattern wets beyond just the crown — broader root-zone saturation encourages deeper rooting. Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch to moderate root-zone temperature and retain moisture between cycles.
Blooms on old wood — prune immediately after flowering, not before.
Semi-formal hedge strategy (recommended):
Maintain a soft trapezoid profile: wider at the base than the top. Allow slight seasonal expansion during the bloom period for a natural look.
Post-bloom (late spring): Primary thinning and rejuvenation. Remove roughly 20-30% of the oldest stems at ground level. Lightly head back long flowering shoots to shape the hedge. Mid-summer: Very light corrective shaping only if needed. No heavy cuts. Winter: Selective rejuvenation only if the plant has become overgrown or congested. Avoid cutting deeply into old wood.
Early-to-mid March. Lightly prune before moving. Deep soak after planting.
Early-mid March: Transplant if needed. Deep soak. Late spring (right after bloom): Primary thinning/rejuvenation + light heading-back of flowering shoots. Mid-summer: Optional minimal corrective shaping. Fall: Avoid heavy cuts. Year-round: Maintain 2-3 inches of mulch.