Easy Mock Orange (philadelphus) Pruning - annual & for height reduction

[@catherineg.9470]

This was so very helpful! We landed in a house over the winter and had no idea what the collection of dull brown sticks in the back yad were about until this summer. We swooned over our mature mock oranges and are learning how to care for them thanks to folks like you. Thanks from the Pacific Northwest!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

What a lovely find in your new garden. May they continue to bring you great joy.

[@camwat5193]

Thank you for such a straightforward information video. I’m a non-gardener who has moved into a new property with a lovely mature garden and I want to do it justice. The plant identifier Apps in combination with fantastic videos such as yours have been a godsend. I’m into my second year now, the first was daunting and a bit overwhelming, but I’ve learned so much in that time and beginning to really get results. Starting to feel I can do this! Thanks again, great info, very much appreciated.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you for your great comment and congratulations on your new garden. Yes, you can do this! Most information is online if you look and are willing. Many people (myself included) start with no gardening knowledge and go on to learn loads and create great gardens. Best of luck!

[@victoriaosborne2715]

My new garden has a very neglected, very large Philadelphus specimen but now it's about to get the chop! Seriously, it was a brilliant tutorial, pointing out the differences between the shoots & woody branches that can be dealt with more vigourously. The shrub was covered in blooms until recently but when I cut a few to bring into the house, within a day they had withered and shrivelled in a vase, shame the fragrance is so lovely. Off I go.......

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I never tried philadephus in a vase but I guess not everything is suitable as a cut flower. Happy gardening! 😊

[@Duffett65]

So easy when someone like yourself has the time and the skill to show us how in a straightforward manner. Thank you very much, this is a great help!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

That's great to hear.

[@erlindacoligado8700]

I'm glad I found your video. I want to trim my mock orange and your idea is what I'm looking for. I'm already getting ready my front and back garden for winter and mock orange is my next plant to deal with. Thank you.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thunderkitten8325]

So helpful!! My Philadelphus has never been pruned right, and I’m looking forward to using these techniques.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Good luck

[@kathymacomber5115]

I love pruning...feels as good as cleaning out a closet that was cluttered and now looks orderly.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I agree :)

[@moonlightgoodwyn6666]

Fantastic; very informative. I always feel intimidated by pruning as if I am hurting my plants, but I know it is the best thing I do for them. Thanks!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Pruning is like much else in life. Get to grips with it once and you will be fearless!

[@jacque62]

Rachael, you seem to be an expert in pruning. You did a great job.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thanks, Jacqueline.

[@pen8101]

Thank you so much for your video. I was about the get rid of my seven year old mock orange because it never flowered, was covered in sticky blackfly all summer and looked a state. Your method made it bloom again. It gets covered in white flowers now, though they're not that fragrant. Great video!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thank you for letting me know. I'm so glad it has worked out for you. Happy gardening!

[@pen8101]

@@GardeningatDouentza You're welcome. It's so easy to do now I know how. [Insert big smiley face]

[@sandrahamilton2521]

Thank you I now feel confident cutting mine back 🌹

[@GardeningatDouentza]

You’re welcome 😊

[@jwsc9578]

Thank you, learn so much about this plant.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

You are very welcome

[@givmi_more_w9251]

Nifty job you did there, but boy, that was a lot you cut off ... I am always hesitant to be that drastic, but I guess it has to be done. Thanks for the shout! (Munich, not Cologne ;) )

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Oh no. Sorry, Isabell :)

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Isabell, did you send me a message about #GrowitforJosh yesterday? I just can't seem to find it now :/

[@eddmorchids6605]

No sweat, Cologne, Munich ... it's basically all the same anyway xD Yes, I did sent you an email, I'll resend it.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Haha. I don't think so but thank you for the email.

[@laurieparis2203]

Very nice instructible! Do you have a youtube where you show the hedge in full flower?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Sorry, Laurie, I had a look but don't seem to have the hedge in bloom in a video.

[@richardadams2877]

Thank you for your video. I do have a question, I wonder if you can help. I have cut back all branches with spent flowers. This has promoted new growth at the cutting point, which is great, although very little coming from the base of the plant. But will the remaining (old) branches which have not flowered this season, flower next year? Or is it safe to cut them back without fear of losing blooms next year? Many thanks.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Hello Richard and thanks for your comment. Philadelphus flowers on last year's wood however, in time, bushes can become very congested with vigorous new growth close to the ground. This is why you need to cut out about a quarter of these branches annually to preserve the shape of your bush. In addition, although the video suggests cutting back flowered wood to the strongest bud, do not adhere to these religiously. You need to consider the overall shape of your bush and its internal aeration and that may necessitate removing some of these branches. Basically, you may end up cutting off some branches that would have flowered but it is necessary for overall appearance of the bush. Hope this helps.

[@richardadams2877]

@@GardeningatDouentza Thank you very much for your reply, much appreciated.

[@B30pt87]

Thank you for this.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

My pleasure!

[@Ironsmithfarm]

Sorry, you are mistaken. Mock orange blooms on the previous year's wood not new growth.

[@KhurshidKarimi]

She is not mistaken. She points that out very clearly. Advising that this years new shoots should be preserved so they flower NEXT year.

[@thefamilycross]

How should I prune the plant after its flowering, rather than the annual prune?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

The annual prune is the one you do after flowering.

[@barbaraadams8219]

Thank you

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Welcome

[@anonymoushuman6635]

Thank you, your video helped me!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Glad to hear it!

[@puvanaganeshan3314]

Hi, The bark/outlayers of the branches and stems were splitting. How do you cure that?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Do you mean they were splitting as you pruned? If so it could be your pruners isn't sharp enough.

[@jtreg]

Great thanks!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Welcome

[@mattavalon]

Great video thank you

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Welcome 😊

[@FTSHarwin]

Hi my mock doesn’t give flowers Any idea v live in texas

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Sorry, no

[@madcosta0716]

It needs sun that may be the problem. You haven't given any conditions of growing area.

[@Ironsmithfarm]

Just Google it