Ozark Mock Orange

Philadelphus pubescens

Found in limestone bluffs; also naturalizing near ornamental plantings in suburban woodlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height: Up to about 20 feet
Spread: 4–10 feet
Light: Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

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Silky Dogwood
Swida amomum
Sun: Deep shade, Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow or white.
Similar growth form, spread, evergreen or deciduous
Stiff Dogwood
Swida foemina
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: White.
Similar height, evergreen or deciduous, bloom season
Smooth Blackhaw
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Sun: Partial sun, Full sun. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: White.
Similar height, spread, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle: Perennial
Bloom: May to June

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Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 3 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Philadelphus

Cenopis diluticostanaSpring Dead-Leaf Roller Moth, Oak Cenopis
Euchlaena johnsonariaJohnson's Euchlaena
Eupithecia columbiataColumbia Pug
Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
Metarranthis duariaRuddy Metarranthis

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Hydrangeaceae
Hardiness: Zones 6–9
Flower color: White

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “May to June” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “White” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Hardiness · “Zones 6–9” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
Height · “Up to about 20 feet” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (ranked first; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder differs)
Life cycle · “Perennial” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Light · “Partial shade; Full shade; Full sun (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
primary_flower_color · “white” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition · Carolinas and Georgia
Spread · “4–10 feet” · Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder

Also known as

Hairy Mock Orange

Conservation status

Virginia rank	Not available
Global rank	Not available
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source

Sources