Mock orange : real tropical jasmine aroma

Mock orange, often called "garden jasmine," is a lovely, easy-to-grow plant. When it blooms, it looks and smells amazing. Many gardeners plant it, but wonder why it doesn't bloom well. Let's explore garden jasmine, its types, and how to plant and care for it in different areas.


Mock orange (Philadelphus) is a shrub that lives for many years. It's part of the Hydrangeaceae family. It grows naturally in Southern Europe, East Asia, and North America.

Its Latin name means "brotherly love," because its shoots grow closely together. It's called "mock orange" because its branches were once used to make smoking pipe stems.

People call it “garden jasmine” because its flowers look like real jasmine. However, they are from different plant families.

Today, there are over 70 kinds of mock orange. They vary in height, leaf shape, bloom time, and scent.