Philadelphus

How are Philadelphus plants typically used in gardening and landscaping?

Philadelphus plants, commonly known as mock orange or sweet syringa, are valued in gardening and landscaping primarily as decorative and fragrant shrubs. Because they are known for their characteristic orange-blossom fragrance and showy, white-petaled flowers, they are frequently selected for their aesthetic appeal in garden settings.¹

These deciduous shrubs are particularly useful in landscapes because they grow unusually well in dry soils. Depending on the species or variety, they offer significant versatility in size: some are compact, reaching heights of about 1.2 meters (4 feet), while larger varieties can grow up to 4.6 meters (15 feet). Gardeners often utilize these plants for their late spring blooms, which feature clusters of creamy-white flowers, though some specific varieties may offer golden flowers or unique scents, such as the pineapple-scented P. microphyllus.¹

Please note that Philadelphus should not be confused with Philodendron, which is a separate genus of climbing herbs often kept as indoor potted plants.²

What are the common names for Philadelphus plants and why are they called that?

The genus Philadelphus, belonging to the Hydrangeaceae family, is commonly known by several names, most notably mock orange and sweet syringa.¹⁴

Why they are called that:

• Mock Orange: This name is derived from the plant’s characteristic fragrance, which closely resembles that of orange blossoms. Additionally, the term is applied to various shrubby plants that are considered to resemble the orange tree.¹⁴
• Syringa: This name is also used to refer to the genus. Historically, the botanist Gaspard Bauhin associated the plant with a name used by the ancient Greek author Athenaeus, Philadelphon, which translates to “loving one’s siblings.” This name originally described a plant whose spreading branches would meet and join together, appearing to “embrace” one another.⁴²
• Philadelphus: The scientific name was adapted by Carl Linnaeus from the Greek philádelphos. While the name implies a fraternal or sibling-like connection, the specific reason for its application to this genus remains somewhat unclear, as the original ancient description referred to a type of myrtle.²

Where are Philadelphus plants commonly found in nature?

Philadelphus plants are native to several distinct regions across the Northern Hemisphere. In nature, these deciduous shrubs are commonly found in:

• Asia: Specifically throughout northern Asia and Japan.¹
• North America: They are native to the western United States, the southern Atlantic coast of the United States, and Mexico.¹

Comprising approximately 65 species, these plants are well-adapted to various environments and are noted for their ability to grow unusually well in dry soils.¹

How did the Philadelphus genus get its name?

The genus name Philadelphus was introduced by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, who adapted it from the work of the Swiss botanist Gaspard Bauhin. Bauhin had previously associated the plant with the Greek term philádelphon, which appears in the writings of the ancient author Athenaeus.²

In Greek, philádelphos means “loving one’s siblings,” derived from phil- (love) and -adelphos (of siblings). The term originally described a type of myrtle whose spreading branches would meet and join together, appearing to “embrace” one another like siblings. While the name is linguistically related to the Greek roots for “brotherly love”—the same roots that inspired the name of Philadelphia—it remains unclear why Bauhin specifically associated the mock orange with the plant described by Athenaeus.²⁵