Plant of the Week: Mock orange

When it comes to frothy, romantic blossoms, mock orange (Philadelphus) is queen. This beautiful early summer shrub is a must-have for anyone who loves cottage garden chic: throughout June it’s smothered in pure white, richly perfumed flowers, filling the garden with orange-blossom scent.

Mock orange is easy to grow, happy in any soil and in sun or part shade. Some varieties grow up to 10ft, though the double-flowered ‘Manteau d’Hermine’ is shorter at about 3ft. All mock oranges are low maintenance; prune just after flowering, cutting out flowered stems and removing a quarter of the oldest wood. Then feed and mulch and it’s ready for the rest of the year.