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MOCK-ORANGE Philadelphus

	Mock-orange is a native, deciduous, erect to spreading shrub that grows to 3 to 10 feet tall. They are named "mock-orange" because the flowers, which in wild species look somewhat similar to those of oranges and lemons at first glance, and smell of orange flowers and jasmine. About five species of Mock-orange occur naturally in British Columbia and Alberta as well as in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California in the United States. There are over 60 different varieties of native Mock-orange world-wide and the leaves and flowers can vary widely in characteristics. The showy white flowers occur in clusters of three to fifteen. The opposite, simple, oval-shaped leaves have serrated edges. The small white flowers have four petals and sepals and produce fruit which is a small dark brown capsule. These capsules contain the seeds which are small and numerous. The roots are fibrous while the bark is thin and flaky, finely shredding in lengthwise strips. Mock-orange grows on well-drained, moist sites in deep, rich loams to rocky or gravelly areas. It is commonly found on rocky sites, at the base of slopes and cliffs, along streams, and seasonally moist draws. It occurs at seeps, springs and rocky wet areas, so doesn't mind getting its feet wet. Mock-orange furnishes excellent cover and habitat for wildlife, providing good browsing for deer and elk. Quail, rodents and squirrels also use Mock-orange for food. Mock-orange can be a valuable plant for revegetating disturbances on steep, rocky, unstable slopes. It can also be planted in drier areas of degraded riparian zones. Mock-orange will survive forest fires because it resprouts from buds in the root crown after top is killed by fire. The rejuvenated plant is more palatable to grazing animals. Idaho's state flower, Lewis's Mock-orange, is named for Captain Meriwether Lewis, (of Lewis and Clarke fame) who first discovered and collected it in 1806. It is used domesticly as an ornamental in borders, screens and hedges. Other uses include low-maintenance landscaping and recreational area plantings. Highly scented hybrid varieties can be purchased from garden centres. I had a Mock-orange that I transplanted from the wild at one of my former homes. I didn't think it would ever flower, but it eventually did and the scent of citrus was wonderful when we sat out on the front porch on a summer's evening. Native Americans used the stems for making arrows, bows, combs, tobacco pipes, cradles and netting shuttles.

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