Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat vs Lewis Mock Orange - TreeTime.ca

Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat vs Lewis Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Eriogonum umbellatum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Lewis Mock Orange
Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat

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.

Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat is a native perennial wildflower known for its dense clusters of cream to yellow flowers. The long-lasting blooms persist from late spring into summer, providing an extended nectar source for a variety of pollinators. The flower buds are often red-tinted before opening. As the blooms age, they shift to orange or red, adding seasonal interest and making them well-suited to dried flower arrangements. Its seeds are also eaten by birds, adding to its ecological value.

Depending on climate and conditions, Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat may be evergreen to semi-evergreen, or its foliage may turn red during fall. Its deep roots and spreading growth stabilize rocky or sandy soils, making it useful for erosion control. Exceptionally hardy once established, it requires little care and thrives in challenging environments, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens, naturalization, and ecological restoration projects.

Lewis Mock Orange Quick Facts

Sulphur-Flower Buckwheat Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to arching, multi-stemmed
Growth form: upright to spreading, clump-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Spreading: seeds - low


Foliage: leathery
Fall colour: reddish bronze
Flowers: fragrant, white
Flowers: colour varies, typically white to yellow
Bloom time: mid spring to early summer
Bloom time: mid spring to mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC
Other Names: california mock orange, lewis mockorange, western mock orange, western syringa, wild mock orange
Other Names: sulphur buckwheat, sulphur flower, wild buckwheat