mock orange bush buds but will not bloom

by joeann
(lindsay, ontario Canada)

Mock Orange

I have a mock orange bush that I planted last year. It starts out absolutely covered in buds, but just as you expect it to burst into full bloom the buds start to droop and turn brown. I don't see any bugs on it and I have not pruned it at all as it was a new plant last year.

Comments for mock orange bush buds but will not bloom

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Jul 12, 2020

Ran out of energy
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

I think what's happening here is that your shrub (being newly planted) is running out of steam. Give it a year or two and you'll wonder why you worried.

Mock Orange (Philadelphus) only blooms for a week or maybe two, the rest of the time it's just a green blob in the landscape, so I can see why you would be disappointed.

As you didn't send me a picture, it's hard to know if there is anything else going on.

Keep the soil moist, cut off the dead flower buds, and hope for better luck next year.

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