Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

Canyon Mock Orange

Philadelphus ernestii

Other common name(s):

Canyon Mock-orange, Mock-orange

Family:

Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

3
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Semi Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Limestone, Caliche, Calcareous, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Bees

Maintenance

Drought and heat tolerant once established. Flowers smell like orange blossoms making it an excellent plant near outside living areas. Doesn’t tolerate wet soil. May be pruned for denser growth soon after flowering. Endemic and rare plant to the Edwards Plateau ecoregion, but is available in some nurseries and NPSOT plant sales. May need extra care when grown outside of its native range. Propagation: softwood cutting, hardwood cutting,

Comments

Blooms April-June: Small shrub with loose bark on the main stems. Leaves narrowly ovate, with smooth margins and 3 prominent veins on the upper surface, the lower surface covered with hairs. Numerous showy, white flowers along branches. The fruit is a capsule shaped like a top.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Semi-harwood Cutting Take semi-hardwood stem cuttings: Using clean and sharp pruning shears, take cuttings from the Philadelphus Ernestii shrub. Cut a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) section of stem just below a node. Ensure the cut is clean and not jagged. Prepare the cuttings: Remove the lower leaves from the stem, leaving only a few at the top. This helps reduce water loss during the rooting process. Optional: You can also dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone powder to encourage root growth. Prepare the planting medium: Fill a small container with a well-draining soil mix. A combination of peat moss, perlite, and sand can be used. Ensure the medium is moist, but not waterlogged. Plant the cuttings: Make a hole in the planting medium with a pencil or your finger and insert the stem cutting into it. Gently firm the soil around the cutting to provide support. Provide the right environment: Place the container in a warm and bright location, but avoid direct sunlight. The ideal temperature for rooting is between 68-77°F (20-25°C). Mist the cuttings: To maintain humidity around the cuttings, mist them with water using a spray bottle. Ensure that the soil remains moist but not excessively wet. Be patient: It can take several weeks for the cuttings to develop roots. During this time, avoid disturbing or moving the container. Transplanting: After the cuttings have rooted and developed a healthy root system, typically after 6-8 weeks, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden. The best time to propagate Philadelphus Ernestii is during the early spring or late autumn when the plant is dormant. Look for healthy, disease-free stems to use for propagation. Ideally, choose stems that are about one-year-old, as they have the best chance of rooting successfully. https://plantiary.com/plant/philadelphus-ernestii_23420.html#:~:text=Propagation:%20You%20can%20propagate%20Philadelphus,occasionally%20until%20they%20develop%20roots.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason