Lewis’ Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

close up of mock orange flowers, white, 4-petalled

understory shrub with green vegetation and white flowers

Plant Description

Lewis’s mock orange is a gorgeous deciduous shrub native to rocky slopes, streambanks, and open forests of western North America. It typically grows 3–10 feet tall with arching stems and opposite, oval leaves. In late spring to early summer it produces clusters of fragrant white, four-petaled flowers with bright yellow stamens which are highly attractive to people, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Ecologically, Lewis’ mock orange provides nectar, pollen, and cover for wildlife, while its dense root systems help stabilize soils on slopes and riparian areas. Its showy, sweet-scented blossoms and adaptability make it a popular choice for native landscaping and restoration plantings.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Shrub
Habitats	Bottomland forests Fencelines Forest edges Forest openings Forest understories Gardens Hillsides Little Habitats Mixed hardwood-conifer forests Oak savannas Oak woodlands Prairies Residential yards Riparian areas Riparian forests Roadsides Trailsides Upland prairies Woodlands
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Dry to moist
Special Uses	Attracts birds Attracts hummingbirds Attracts pollinators and or other beneficial insects Blooms June Blooms May Deciduous Deer resistant Drought tolerant Erosion control Flowering Flowers white Good for rock garden Good for shady woodland garden Hedgerow Ornamental Perennial Produces fruit Produces nectar Produces pollen Produces seeds Provides soil stabilization Provides wildlife habitat Restoration/revegetation Woody
Shade Preference	Full shade Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	6-12’