Mock orange and Mexican orange are not the same plant. While they both have similar names and are often confused, they actually belong to different plant families and have distinct characteristics.
Mock orange, scientifically known as Philadelphus, is a genus of flowering shrubs native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It is widely cultivated for its fragrant white flowers, which resemble orange blossoms, hence the common name “mock orange.” The flowers of mock orange have a sweet scent and usually bloom in late spring to early summer. Some popular species of mock orange include Philadelphus coronarius and Philadelphus lewisii.
On the other hand, Mexican orange, also known as Choisya ternata, belongs to the Rutaceae family and is native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is an evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Mexican orange produces clusters of white flowers with a citrus-like fragrance, similar to mock orange. However, the flowers of Mexican orange are smaller and more star-shaped compared to the larger, more rounded flowers of mock orange.
While both mock orange and Mexican orange have attractive white flowers with a pleasant fragrance, they are different plants with distinct characteristics. It’s important to use the scientific names, Philadelphus for mock orange and Choisya ternata for Mexican orange, to avoid any confusion when purchasing or discussing these plants.
In my personal experience as a gardener, I have come across situations where customers have mistakenly referred to Mexican orange as mock orange. This confusion can lead to misunderstandings and may result in the wrong plant being chosen for a particular garden or landscape design. Therefore, it’s always beneficial to clarify the specific plant species using their scientific names to ensure accurate communication and selection.
To summarize, mock orange (Philadelphus) and Mexican orange (Choisya ternata) are two different plants with similar names and characteristics. While they both have fragrant white flowers, they belong to different plant families and have distinct features. Using the scientific names when referring to these plants will help avoid any confusion and ensure accurate identification.
