It was here when I bought my house 30yrs ago and stays about same 7ft size (I prune about 2-3ft per year). Blooms on new wood. Very much a stick bush (some new sprouts 4ft+), but not red wood in winter like similar dogwood bush. New branches lay over with tons of blooms. Heavy heavenly smell, kinda like gardenia? Blooms thick only April thru May here in zone 7 Virginia, then green bush rest of year. Growing in 75% shade & higher moisture ground. Now will be pruning to size & shape for new bed around it and need info. What is it?? Thanks, Deb Debs Unk bush pic1 ( photo / image / picture from DixieDeb's Garden ) Debs Unk bush pic2 ( photo / image / picture from DixieDeb's Garden ) [/img]
on Philadelphus-- THANKS for the Philadelphus tip as thats the closest I gotten!! Not Aureus as not golder leaf before sprout. The "Virginal" has nearly the same flower & leaf, but bloom time is wrong. It is a "double flower" at leaf joints with a 3 group at stem ends. It also has elongated or pointed leaves (not rounded as most) that are barely serrated and stems do have slightly peeling bark.. BUT- Spent all afternoon running thru tons of Philadelphus. Problems are- Most I've found have their bloom time is June-July and mine starts in April and is done by June 1st. Or few I found with April bloom are a short bush with no aroma? Also mine doesnt smell anything like oranges.. more like Gardenia? Almost as strong & sweet as honeysuckle. I've posted a couple more pics to help. Soo close in 1 day!! You guys are great!! PS I'm happy feeling sure it is an old Philadelphus variant, but hope someone will know which. Thanks again! branch1 ( photo / image / picture from DixieDeb's Garden ) back of bush, main stems ( photo / image / picture from DixieDeb's Garden ) bloom closeup with hand ( photo / image / picture from DixieDeb's Garden )
