Snow White Mockorange
Snow White Mockorange
Intensely Fragrant White Flowers That Perfume the June Garden
Snow White Mockorange (Philadelphus 'Snow White') delivers one of the most beloved fragrances in the garden — clusters of pure white, richly perfumed flowers (often double) that smother the shrub in late spring to early summer and scent the whole yard. Tough, cold-hardy, and deer-resistant, it makes a classic fragrant specimen, screen, or cut-flower source for gardens in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Snow White Mockorange Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Philadelphus 'Snow White' |
| Mature Size | 4–6 ft. tall, 4–6 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 3–8 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to part shade (best bloom in full sun) |
| Bloom Time | Late spring into early summer |
| Flower Color | Pure white, intensely fragrant |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay; adaptable |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to -40°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Fragrant specimen and screen: Plant it where the scent can be enjoyed — near patios, walks, and windows. Space 4–5 feet apart for an informal screen.
Pollinator and cut-flower gardens: Bees love the blooms, which are lovely (and fragrant) cut. Pair with peonies, lilacs, and catmint.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September) in full sun with good drainage.
How to Plant Snow White Mockorange
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 4–5 feet apart.
Watering Snow White Mockorange
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Water during dry spells. Prune right after flowering, since it blooms on old wood.
Q: How fragrant is it?
Intensely — mockorange is famous for a sweet, citrusy perfume that carries across the garden in early summer.
Q: When do I prune it?
Right after flowering — it blooms on old wood, so late pruning removes next year's flowers.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — hardy well below Twin Cities lows.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse mockorange.
You May Also Like
Snowbelle Mockorange (Philadelphus): A compact, double-flowered fragrant mockorange.
Lilac (Syringa): Another classic fragrant spring shrub.
Peony (Paeonia): A fragrant early-summer companion.