Pekin Mock Orange Plant Care

Pekin Mock Orange (Philadelphus pekinensis) belongs to the Hydrangeaceae family within the Philadelphus genus. Pekin Mock Orange is native to northern and western China and Korea, with fragrant flowers up to 1" across in small clusters. Pekin Mock Orange is also known as Mock Orange.

Pekin Mock Orange displays an upright, arching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 8 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Pekin Mock Orange produces fragrant white or cream flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pekin Mock Orange every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Pekin Mock Orange thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Philadelphus pekinensis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Pekin Mock Orange prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Pekin Mock Orange to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pekin Mock Orange every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pekin Mock Orange is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Pekin Mock Orange can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 8 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Pekin Mock Orange while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Pekin Mock Orange is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Pekin Mock Orange can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mock orange plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Pekin Mock Orange is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Pekin Mock Orange grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Pekin Mock Orange is native to northern and western China and Korea, with fragrant flowers up to 1" across in small clusters. In cooler regions, grow Pekin Mock Orange as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.