Q Why didn't my philadelphus (mock orange) flower?

A Philadelphus is just one of a group of very useful flowering shrubs that bloom in late spring and
early summer. Its white, orange-blossom-scented blooms should fill the garden with fragrance, as well as colour.

Caption: It's very frustrating to miss out on the blooms of philadelphus, such as P. coronarius 'Variegatus'

The most likely cause of mock orange failing to flower is pruning at the wrong time of year. If you prune too late or too early, you risk cutting off the stems that would have flowered.

Q How can I encourage my philadelphus to flower?
A For now, leave your plant unpruned and it should bloom next year. Prune immediately after it has flowered, cutting back the stems that have bloomed to leave strong young shoots. The new stems that grow from these shoots will produce next year's flowers.

Caption: Prune philadelphus straight after flowering