Philadelphus Little White Love
Philadelphus Little White Love in our Fife garden
It’s not the first time that I have mentioned getting the wrong plant when buying mail order.
I ordered Philadelphus Belle Etoile, which has an amazing fragrance. However, I was sent Philadelphus Little White Love.
Actually, I am not complaining. This is its third season planted in a tub in our courtyard. It was smothered in double white flowers which lasted from late May until the end of June and it is highly scented.
It’s here to stay, one of those shrubs which seems to enjoy being in a container.
Plant profile Philadelphus little white love
There are Philadelphus shrubs which grow to a height of three meters, not so easy to position in a small garden.
However, little white love is compact, reaching a height and spread of one metre. Perfect in the border or in a container.
The smallish double white flowers in early Summer will provide a heady fragrance ensuring this will be a shrub you won’t want to be without.
Height
Grows to a height and width of 3ft 2 in ( 1 m)
Pruning
As soon as the flowers have gone over, cut back all the stems which have flowered. This gives time for new growth to develop which will flower next year.
Hardiness
Fully hardy in all parts of the UK
Flowers and foliage
The double white flowers which are highly perfumed smother the shrub in late May and all of June. Well they do in Scotland, perhaps they don’t last quite so long in warmer climes. Leaves are mid green, small and insignificant.
Common name
More people know Philadelphus by its common name (mock orange) named because of the intense fragrance which is citrus like.
Position and soil
Full sun or partial shade. Will grow in any soil
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August in our Fife garden
I thought we may take a look at the courtyard. Nothing much needing changing except for the cheap and nasty water feature.
This is how the courtyard was looking in May 2017
Diana, I am sorely tempted to pull down the garage and replace it with a greenhouse although many would think I had gone totally insane. plus I would then have to use space for a shed to store junk which is in the garage.
Revamping the driveway is a clever way to expand the usable size of your garden – both for gardening, and enjoying!
The courtyard looks really beautiful Alistair. If you get rid of your water feature, maybe replace it with a container pond? You could even put a little solar fountain in it!
Your courtyard is gorgeous. Really love those lilies.