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Philadelphus lewisii - Pursh.

Common Name Mock Orange, Lewis' mock orange
Family Hydrangeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Gullies, water courses, rocky cliffs, talus slopes and rocky hillsides of sagebrush deserts[60].
Range Western N. America - British Columbia to Oregon.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Philadelphus lewisii Mock Orange, Lewis


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Val%C3%A9rie75
Philadelphus lewisii Mock Orange, Lewis
www.flickr.com/photos/jim-sf

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Philadelphus lewisii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antihaemorrhoidal  Antirheumatic  Eczema  Poultice  Skin

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[257]. A poultice of the bruised leaves has been used to treat infected breasts[257]. 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[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Soap  Wood

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[99, 169, 257]. 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[K]. 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[K]. An infusion of the bark can also be used[99, 169]. The stems can be used in making fine coiled baskets[257]. Wood - strong, very hard. Used for tool handles[99].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in any moderately fertile soil, and also in thin soils over chalk[200]. Tolerates poor soils[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in semi-shade but prefers a position in full sun where it will flower more freely[182, 200]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[182]. 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[202]. A very ornamental plant with aromatic flowers[182, 200]. This plant is the State flower of Idaho[212].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best if given 1 months cold stratification[113]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm long side-shoots, July/August in a shaded frame. Plant out in spring. High percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm with a heel, December in a sheltered bed outdoors. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering in summer. Very easy.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta (southwest), British Columbia (south)), United States (Idaho, Montana (west), Oregon, Washington, California)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Philadelphus coronariusMock Orange, Sweet mock orangeShrub4.0 4-8 FLMHSNM001
Philadelphus delavayi Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Philadelphus microphyllusLittleleaf Mock OrangeShrub1.2 5-9  LMHSNDM101
Philadelphus pubescensHoary mock orangeShrub5.0 5-9  LMHSNM001
Philadelphus purpurascens Shrub4.0 5-9  LMHSNDM001
Philadelphus x virginalisMock OrangeShrub3.0 5-8 MLMHSNM001

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Pursh.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Jun 27 2007

are all philadelphus holding the above properties? it seems logical to assume thus to minor or larger degrees of, any chemists out there?

   Wed Mar 12 2008

what are they common names for the Syringa

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