mock orange
noun
1
: any of a genus (Philadelphus of the family Hydrangeaceae, the hydrangea family) of ornamental shrubs of which several are widely grown for their showy white flowers
called also philadelphus, syringa
2
: any of several usually shrubby plants considered to resemble the orange
Examples of mock orange in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When mock orange shrubs bloom in spring, their creamy white flowers emit a heady, citrus-like aroma that can’t help but liven up garden beds.
—
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026
The garden is divided into different areas: there’s a white garden blooming with azaleas, mock orange, and dwarf Solomon’s seal; a woodland section featuring native species like mayapple and wood poppy; and the remains of George’s organic vegetable garden.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
The orange-blossom fragrance of the native mock orange is so delightful that many gardeners plant the shrub close to a patio or sitting area.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
These include azalea, Viburnum spp., oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Cotoneaster spp., and mock orange (Pittosporum tobira).
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Sunburned leaves of a mock orange shrub on Aug. 23.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2024
Flowers included meadow grass, ox-eye daisies, iris, rose, clematis, mock orange, scabious, sweet pea, astrantia, martagon lily and love in a mist.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
For winter application, Osofsky suggests homing in on white flowers like hellebores or mock orange, paired with the silver foliage of artemisia and lavender.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 21 Dec. 2023
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Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2026
The garden is divided into different areas: there’s a white garden blooming with azaleas, mock orange, and dwarf Solomon’s seal; a woodland section featuring native species like mayapple and wood poppy; and the remains of George’s organic vegetable garden.
—Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Mar. 2026
The orange-blossom fragrance of the native mock orange is so delightful that many gardeners plant the shrub close to a patio or sitting area.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025
These include azalea, Viburnum spp., oak leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Cotoneaster spp., and mock orange (Pittosporum tobira).
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 6 Mar. 2025
Sunburned leaves of a mock orange shrub on Aug. 23.
—Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2024
Flowers included meadow grass, ox-eye daisies, iris, rose, clematis, mock orange, scabious, sweet pea, astrantia, martagon lily and love in a mist.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024
For winter application, Osofsky suggests homing in on white flowers like hellebores or mock orange, paired with the silver foliage of artemisia and lavender.
—Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 21 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Mock orange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mock%20orange. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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