Lewis' Mock Orange, Western Syringa Philadelphus lewisii - Philadelphus insignis, Philadelphus gordonianus, Philadelphus columbarius, Philadelphus columbianus

Detailed Listing For

Botanical Name:

Philadelphus lewisii

Family:

Hydrangeaceae

Genus:

Philadelphus

Species:

lewisii

Common Name:

Lewis' Mock Orange, Western Syringa

Seeds Per Pound:

2,000,000

Quantity:

0.58 lb

Germination:

30%

Germination Test Type:

estimate

Purity:

99%

Height:

6-11 feet

Collection Locale:

Montana

Crop Year:

2024

Minimum Hardiness Zone:

Harvest hemisphere:

Northern

In Stock: 0.58 lb

Prices

Philadelphus lewisii

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Characteristics

Specimen Shrub

Growing Info, follow in order:

Scarification: none required.

Stratification: cold stratify for 30 days.

Germination: surface sow and keep moist, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed.

In a Nutshell:

* Philadelphus lewisii (Lewis' mock-orange) is a deciduous shrub native to western North America, from northwestern California in the Sierra Nevada, north to southern British Columbia, and east to Idaho and Montana. It is widespread but not very common, usually appearing as an individual plant amongst other species. It was first collected by Meriwether Lewis in 1806. Other common names include wild mock-orange (though this can apply to any species in the genus), and syringa, a name that usually refers to the unrelated lilacs.

* The shrub is rounded and grows to 1.5 to 3 meters in height. It sends out long stems which are red when new and fade to gray with age, the bark shredding in small flakes. The oppositely arranged leaves vary in size across individual plants but they are usually oval, 3 to 5 centimeters long, smooth or serrated along the edges, and light green in color with a rough texture. The flowers are produced in clusters at the ends of long stems, with four white petals up to 4 centimeters long and numerous yellow stamens. At the height of flowering, the plant is covered in a mass of blossoms. The flowers have a heavy, sweet scent similar to orange blossoms with a hint of pineapple. The fruit is a small hard capsule about a centimeter long with woody, pointed wings, containing many brown seeds. more...

* Propagation
Seed - best if given 1 months cold stratification. Sow February in a light position in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

* A very ornamental plant with aromatic flowers.

* This plant is the State flower of Idaho.

* An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately fertile soil, and also in thin soils over chalk. Tolerates poor soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in semi-shade but prefers a position in full sun where it will flower more freely. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, one third of the stems can be cut down to the ground each year in order to promote fresh growth and heavier flowering.

* The leaves and flowers are rich in saponins, when crushed and mixed with water they produce a lather that is an effective cleaner, used on the body, clothes etc. You can wash your hands by merely picking a couple of leaves or a bunch of blossom, wetting your hands and then rubbing the plant material vigorously as if it was a bar of soap. This soap is a very gentle cleaner that does not remove the body's natural oils, but does remove dirt. It is not very effective against oil. An infusion of the bark can also be used. The stems can be used in making fine coiled baskets. Wood - strong, very hard. Used for tool handles.

* The dried powdered leaves, or the powdered wood, has been mixed with pitch or oil and used as a rub on sores and swollen joints. A poultice of the bruised leaves has been used to treat infected breasts. A strained decoction of the branches, sometimes with the flowers, has been used as a soaking solution in the treatment of sore chests, eczema and bleeding haemorrhoids. more...

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Lewis' Mock Orange, Western Syringa Philadelphus lewisii - Philadelphus insignis, Philadelphus gordonianus, Philadelphus columbarius, Philadelphus columbianus

Philadelphus lewisii

Hydrangeaceae

Philadelphus

lewisii

Lewis' Mock Orange, Western Syringa

Philadelphus lewisii

Drought Tolerant Plant

Flowering Shrub

Fragrant

Pollinator Attracting

Likes Lime In Soil

Medicinal

Plant for Soap making

Specimen Shrub