Shrubs - Mock Orange
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  (April) A few years ago I planted a mock orange, Philadelphus virginalis it says. Although it is still living, unusual for things I plant, it has never bloomed. Will it? Also, there is this plant around Fayetteville that resembles honeysuckle but is a woody shrub rather than a vine. It grows like cancer, so without constant whacking it takes over the yard. Any way to get rid of it?

  How much sunlight does your mock orange get? It needs at least 4 to 6 hours, and will do great in full sun. It should bloom every year in late spring. It sets its flower buds in the fall, so don't do much pruning after June. They are usually pretty reliable. As for your honeysuckle plant, there are shrub honeysuckles, but they are not usually invasive. You may want to take a plant sample to your county agent. The best way to kill plants is to get as much of the original plant dug up, then spray any remaining sprouts with a glyphosate (Round-up) product. The larger and woodier the plant, the harder it is to kill. Brush-b-gone or brush killer may work better, but read the label direction, and protect any desirable nearby plants.

  (October) I have what was called an Orange Blossom bush when it was given to me. It has beautiful white blooms that last for some time in late spring. It has become unruly and has numerous new shoots from the ground each year. When and how do I cut it back? Should I prune it all over or eliminate some of the old shoots? When can it be moved?

  I think the plant you are referring to is Mock Orange -- Philadelphus sp. It is a wonderful shrub with beautiful white blooms in the spring, but unfortunately, that is the end of the show for this plant, as it doesn't have pretty fall foliage or berries. The time to prune it would be immediately after it flowers next spring. You have the option of cutting it completely back and letting it start over, or thinning it out by one third to one half. If you need to move it, that can be done while it is dormant, from November - February. If you prune it back before bloom, you won't have any flowers next spring.

  (November) I planted two Mock Orange plants this spring which were less than one foot tall. They have spread and grown with the tallest stems about five feet tall. I understand that they should bloom about May. Do I cut back some stems to make them more hardy through the winter?

  Don't do any pruning now. Even though a mock orange doesn't bloom early in the spring, it is still considered a spring blooming plant, and flower buds are set. After bloom next spring, you may want to do some selective pruning to help shape the plants, but they should overwinter just fine.

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