Tulip Tree vs Lewis Mock Orange - TreeTime.ca

Tulip Tree vs Lewis Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Liriodendron tulipifera

Lewis Mock Orange
Tulip Tree

Lewis Mock Orange is a flowering ornamental shrub that produces an abundance of white, fragrant blooms. The flowers have a sweet scent similar to orange blossoms, with a hint of pineapple. They bloom for several weeks from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Native to North America, Lewis Mock Orange is found from the southernmost portions of Alberta and British Columbia, and south into the northwestern United States. It makes an attractive shrub and can be used in hedgerows, pollinator gardens, and naturalization projects. Blooms occur on the previous year’s wood, so it is recommended to prune after it has finished flowering.

Tulip Tree is the perfect shade tree for wide open spaces. It has a shallow and extensive root system, so ensure you give it space to grow. The attractive and showy, yellow-orange, tulip shaped flowers are where this tree gets its name.

Tulip Tree is somewhat rare in Canada but highly sought after as it is difficult to grow. Does best in a moist, well-drained soil.

Lewis Mock Orange Quick Facts

Tulip Tree Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 4a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 14 m (45 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Growth form: upright to arching, multi-stemmed
Growth form: upright, oval to pyramidal
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: 4-lobed somewhat spade-shaped
Fall colour: golden yellow
Flowers: fragrant, white
Flowers: greenish yellow, tulip-shaped
Bloom time: mid spring to early summer
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: ON
Other Names: california mock orange, lewis mockorange, western mock orange, western syringa, wild mock orange
Other Names: canoewood, tulip poplar, tulip-poplar, tuliptree, yellow poplar