Villosa Lilac vs Lewis Mock Orange - TreeTime.ca

Villosa Lilac vs Lewis Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Syringa villosa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Lewis Mock Orange
Villosa Lilac

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.

Popular Hedge Species!

Villosa Lilac is a relatively large and cold hardy shrub. It provides excellent privacy and wind protection.

Its fragrant, pink flowers grow in clusters at the end of its branches during mid to late summer and fade to a light pink over time. Villosa Lilac grows quickly and is drought resistant, making it suitable for the outer row of a shelterbelt. Its roots are non-suckering and it does not compete with nearby crops.

If you alternate Villosa Lilac and Common Purple Lilac in your hedge, your hedge will flower for more of the summer than if you plant either Lilac on its own.

Note: Villosa Lilac is more salt-tolerant than most of our stock.

Lewis Mock Orange Quick Facts

Villosa Lilac Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to arching, multi-stemmed
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: low


Flowers: fragrant, white
Flowers: fragrant purple clusters
Bloom time: mid spring to early summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC
Other Names: california mock orange, lewis mockorange, western mock orange, western syringa, wild mock orange
Other Names: late lilac