PHILADELPHUS
Mock oranges are hardy, deciduous shrubs that are easy to grow and so rewarding with ruffles of creamy white summer flowers. ‘Belle Étoile’ is popular with single blooms and ‘Virginal’ has rose-like doubles.
PLUS POINTS: It’s highly fragrant and will draw you to it to take in the sumptuous smell. An essential compact shrub for a summer garden that can cope with anything.
SITING: All soils that are welldrained in sun or part shade. Likes a woodland setting.
PRUNING: After flowering, cut back flowered stems to strong shoots and take out some old stems to the ground.