Philadelphus inodorus L.

Scentless Mock Orange; Appalachian Mock Orange; Common Mock Orange

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

English Dogwood is a native deciduous shrub in the Hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama, except the southernmost counties. English Dogwood grows on floodplains, along streams, in rich woods, in rocky woods, and around old home sites. It is an upright or arching shrub reaching 10-15 feet in height. The leaves are opposite, oblong to ovate in outline, glabrous or sparsely pubescent, with entire or irregularly serrate margins. Flowers are produced singly or in cymules from the axils of the leaves. The non-fragrant flowers have four white petals and numerous yellow stamens. The fruit is a capsule. English Dogwood is neither English nor a member of the Dogwood family. It has a long history of cultivation in the South, and more people are probably familiar with it from gardens than have seen it in the wild. It was a staple of the Southern landscape along with azaleas, gardenias, camellias, and hydrangeas. Europeans developed many hybrids of Philadelphus, but many of these plants are not suited for our hot and humid summers in Alabama. English Dogwood is commonly available from wildflower nurseries. It often goes by other common names such as Scentless Mock Orange, Appalachian Mock Orange, and Common Mock Orange. It is also easy to root from cuttings. English Dogwood prefers semi-shade, but will grow in full sun. Plants should be pruned after flowering to maintain a compact growth form. It can be grown in a mixed border of shrubs, along a fence line, along the edge of a woodland, or as a specimen shrub.--A. Diamond

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Native

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