Philadelphus lewisii |
Native Region: Western North America
Zone Range: 4-8
Preferred Climate: Semi sun; well draining average to dry soils.
Harvest Date: Friday 31 December, 2010
Seed count: 50-60
Description:
A lovely carefree flowering shrub that deserves more attention. Its sweetly orange blossom scented white single (sometimes double) flowers are borne in such profussion, it is the highlight of the garden from May to July. Nice mid green foliage on short branches. Drought tolerant when established. Grows to 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide. Flowers on new wood, so it can take fall pruning. Adapts to many soil types, but cannot tolerate wet feet.
Notes:
State flower of Idaho. Sometimes used as erosion control. Blooms on new wood, so prune only after flowering and prune only to shape or remove crossing branches and older wood.
Cultivation:
Extremely fine seed. Add a small amount of sand to seed, mix well and spread thinly on prepared sowing surface. Mist in. Seed needs light to germinate so do not cover. Place a clear cover over your sowing pot/tray and give 4 weeks of cold stratification (2-4C) but do not let freeze. Germinate at 15-20 C when cold stratification period is over. Never let super tiny seedlings dry out nor should you over water them hense the sand for drainage! Yes, there is logic to my maddness!
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