Lewis's mock orange
Philadelphus lewisii
Lewis's mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Intensely fragrant white blooms, citrus-orange-blossom scent. 'Cheyenne' is the cold-hardy USDA selection.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listmedium water6–10 ft tall and 6–8 ft wideZones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Charles Swift, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) John A Haskins, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) Diane Leeper, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Diane Leeper
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 6–10 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lewis's mock orange good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Lewis's mock orange is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Lewis's mock orange get?
- It matures to about 6–10 ft tall and 6–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Lewis's mock orange?
- Space Lewis's mock orange about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Lewis's mock orange hardy on the Front Range?
- Lewis's mock orange is hardy in USDA 4–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Lewis's mock orange need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Lewis's mock orange grow?
- Lewis's mock orange is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Lewis's mock orange native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Lewis's mock orange deer-resistant?
- No. Lewis's mock orange is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Lewis's mock orange a good firewise plant near the house?
- Lewis's mock orange is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Lewis's mock orange bloom?
- Lewis's mock orange blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
