How to Trim a Mock Orange

The mock orange is a large flowering shrub, so named for its orange-like scent and its flowers' apparent similarity to those on citrus trees. However, the mock orange is not closely related to the citrus family. When it is properly pruned, a mock orange will produce many clusters of bright white flowers. To encourage flowering the next year, a mock orange should be trimmed as soon as possible after blooming, usually late spring or early summer.

Instructions

1. Trim the branches that have just bloomed down to about one third of their length. This will encourage the new growth that is required for the mock orange to flower.

2. Cut off any dead branches.

3. Prune roughly one out of every three of the oldest stems to further improve the look of the bush. These stems should be cut quite short, almost down to the ground. You can also remove some of the lowest branches on the plant, again, trimming them down to their base.

References

• Garden Wise
• The Garden Seeker