Mock orange offers bright white blossoms

Instead of: Hydrangea

Who doesn’t love hydrangea for their luscious blooms? Calgarians have had best (but not ideal) luck with white-flowered varieties like “Annabelle” (Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle”) and Pee Gee (Hydrangea paniculata “Pee Gee”). Recent introductions like “Limelight” and “Little Lamb” are hardier, but have yet to stand the test of time here. (If you want to try growing them, however, see the hydrangea tips story on the right of this page.)

Try: Mock orange

(Philadelphus lewisii) Consider mock orange instead of hydrangea. A far hardier cousin of the hydrangea, mock orange is a smallish shrub that produces abundant clusters of single, or semi-double, white blooms. It will reward you with an unforgettable fragrance reminiscent of citrus. Look for “Waterton,” a Canadian introduction, or “Minnesota Snowflake” and grow in full sun for best flowering.

Hydrangeas can have a hard time in Calgary’s climate.

Courtesy, R. Weber Mock orange produces an abundance of white blossoms, and is hardier.