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Philadelphus lewisii – Hydrangeaceae - 'Western Mock Orange.' – In the Klamath Ranges of northern California, you will see this beauty growing, an explosion of white flowers in the dull green Tanoak forests, or in the rocky slopes of a river canyon. Equally adaptable in the garden as in the wild, this can achieve a sense of formal beauty in the landscape that few wild plants can achieve. Sweetly fragrant 2" flowers cover this deciduous shrub May-June in the lowlands or late June-July in the higher elevations.

Similar to a lilac in habit, size and flowering season, this deciduous shrub is fast growing to 6' tall and 10' wide, and can be pruned to suit your garden needs. This plant has reported cold hardiness of -20º to -30° F, but the seed source for this strain is in the lowlands next to the North Fork of the Trinity River, and therefore may not be quite that hardy. Very tolerant of summer drought.