Is this a mock orange?

11 years ago

Hi folks, thanks for looking at my pics. Someone who isn't very garden-savvy told me this was a mock orange, but I wanted your expert opinion. (Isn't it supposed to flower?) Once I've confirmed an ID, I'll be researching how to give this bush new life, as I think it could just a really good trim. Perhaps you can tell me whether you think this is an overgrown specimen or if that's what they're supposed to look like after several years? I have trimmed it a lot, but without any real idea of what I was doing.

Much appreciated!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
red twig dogwood, Cornus alba 'Elegantissima'
fizgig777 ╰⊰❀ Z7a ❀⊱╮
11 years ago
Looks like Cornus alba 'Ivory Halo' (Variegated Red Twig Dogwood) or 'Argenteo-Marginata’ (European Variegated Dogwood) or ‘Bailhalo’ (Ivory Halo Dogwood)...
Related Professionals
Murfreesboro Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Portsmouth Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Clearlake Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Cheyenne Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Alexandria Landscape Contractors · Brainerd Landscape Contractors · Canton Landscape Contractors · Merced Landscape Contractors · Ottawa Landscape Contractors · Lake City Stone, Pavers & Concrete · New Orleans Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Jackson Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Waterloo Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Aurora Stone, Pavers & Concrete · Durango Stone, Pavers & Concrete
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
the real key here.. you fail to mention .. is flower fragrance ... you cant miss a mock orange scent .. from 50 feet away ...

i dont do dogwood.. but i dont think they have much of a fragrance .. anyone????

start your search for knowledge.. by googling: REJUVENATION PRUNING OF FLOWERING SHRUBS ... and once you feel good with that.. add the name of this plant ... to focus in on specificity ...

ken
foreignlady (5b - Montreal area)
Original Author
11 years ago
Frankly, I don't think it has ever flowered.
foreignlady (5b - Montreal area)
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I think Cornus alba is right. Thanks! Note to self: do not trust my father-in -law's advice!☺
alys_esmond USDA 5b Toronto
11 years ago
Whether or not it flowered may be due to when you've been cutting it. My first thought was Weigela, which only flowers on year-old wood in late spring... So if you've been pruning/cutting/shaping in the summer, fall or winter you've been cutting off flower buds.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
Cornus, not Weigela. The flowers are not very showy. Mostly grown for the winter twig colour and the foliage.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
i have a mock orange with very similar coloration ... but much less size ....

but i am not going to argue with the ID given.. dogwood ...

ken
foreignlady (5b - Montreal area)
Original Author
11 years ago
Would mock orange have red twigs? the young branches are red... As forpruning, it has many old stems so that wouldn't explain it... I may not have noticed the flowers.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Not a mock orange, not weigela ;-) Absolutely 100% positive it IS a Cornus......... and the common name of the plant is red twig dogwood.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
11 years ago
foreignlady - the Cornus id is correct. No need to check any further.