I have four mock orange bushes and love the (short-lived) flowers. However, I find myself trimming them THREE times per year. That's a lot of work for such short-lived reward. Why must I trim my mock orange bushes so many times per year? (1) I wait to trim them in the spring until after they start to bloom. This is so I do not inadvertently cut off the blooms. (2) Several weeks after the flowers have faded, I have unsightly shoots a foot tall that must be cut--otherwise, they look extremely unkempt. (3) A few weeks after the second trimming, I must trim yet again for the same reasons listed for trimming #2.
They naturally have a vase shape. Here are pruning tips that may help. You should only have to prune once a year. If your mock orange is very gangly, it may be time for a rejuvenation pruning. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange/mock-orange-pruning.htm
I had 2 mock orange in (garden center) pots that I didn't transplant before winter. They look very sad and frozen now :( Do I cut right back before transplanting or are they done for :(
Wait until all threat of frost has passed to transplant and prune.
I would recommend doing a scratch test to make sure that it is still alive. Scratch the bark, and if it is green and pliable, then it will still be alive.
Thank you
I will give it a try :)
know what to do or if it is dead I added 2 pictures, one of shrub after flowering-healthy green. The other no leaves, nothing
Unfortunately, your photos did not come through! There are a couple of possibilities of what could have went wrong.
Sometimes, some specimens are not as hardy to disease as others, such as Verticillium Wilt Disease. It can destroy one or two, but not all of your shrubs.
Another thing to consider is pests in the area. Moles, voles, and other burrowing creatures can destroy roots or cause infections while doing so.
I could recommend taking samples and photos up to your local extension service. They may be able to help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search
This collection of articles will offer more information on the subject of the shrub:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange
I have never noticed this before and the ants are only on some of the new growth. There is a peony next to this plant which has finished flowering. If the ants are bad, how do I get rid of them, please.?
Are the ants huge or is that scale on the stems? Ants usually appear on plants that have insects such as scale or aphids, both of which exude honeydew, which ants love. To get rid of the ants, you need to get rid of the insects. Honeydew can also cause sooty mold. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-aphids-and-ants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/control-plant-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-honeydew.htm
I have a mock orange which I think might be about 6 yrs old. It is still planted in the same pot and blooms like crazy every year. This year it had the most blooms I have ever seen. The odd thing is, it has developed a very large offshoot. The plant itself is about 4 feet tall, the offshoot is almost 7 feet tall and the leaves are almost 3 times as big. I can tell it is coming from the lower stalk and has the same leaves. Does anyone know why this is happening. We are planning on repotting this fall as it isn't holding water so much so expect it is pretty root bound. Would appreciate any help you can give. Thank you Grace Rietel
This is, likely, grafted to a different rootstock variety. Usually, growth from the root will indicate stress from the top of the plant. If left alone, these shoots will take over, killing the top graft, which is the preferred specimen.
I would remove all instances of growth like this, and go ahead and get it into a more comfortable container.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange
They are 3 years old only been pruned once only issue till now is they had scale over them 2 years ago , i have gone along and turned soil over added new soil and compost , there is 100 metre fence line that where 40 off them are planted along .
The appropriate time for pruning mock orange (Murraya paniculata) would typically be during the late winter or early spring. This is when the plant is generally less active in terms of growth, and pruning during this period helps stimulate new growth and maintain the plant's shape. However, it's essential to monitor the specific weather conditions in your area, as they can vary, and adjust the timing accordingly. Always aim to prune when the plant is not in active growth, and avoid extreme weather conditions.
Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/mock-orange