There are about forty species of seringats (or seringas), shrubs of the family of Hydrangeaceae, plus hybrids. The best known is undoubtedly Common syringe (Philadelphus coroner), an ornamental shrub with silvery-green deciduous foliage and whose very fragrant white flowers have earned it the nickname of Jasmine of the Poets. Flowering takes place from May to July and brings a romantic note to the garden. Rustic, this Seringa
Planter un Seringat ou Seringa
This is between october and februarywhat is the best period to plant the syringats, then in vegetative rest, on condition of operating outside frost period.
Here are a few points to consider for plant a Mock orange in the ground.
- Dig a hole whose volume is twice that of the roots and respecting at least a height of 60 to 70 cm, or even much more substantial still if we have chosen a large variety such as P. coronarius reaching, in adulthood, 4 m in height and 3 m in wingspan.
- Mix the soil extracted from the hole with sand, well-matured compost or manure.
- Position the shrub in the center of the hole.
- Reseal.
- Tamp down sufficiently without injuring the roots.
- Water copiously.
If one wishes plant several seringas, care is taken to space them sufficiently from each other. Planting distances (between 60 and 200 cm) are assessed according to the species. It is therefore always necessary to be well informed at the time of purchase. As an indication, these shrubs can measure between 1 and 4 m in height and reach their adult size in just 4 years.
The species of small size as the Natchez’s grin (1.50 to 2.10m) and Sweet Mock Orange (1.40 to 2 m) are perfectly suited to the potted culture. Preferably choose a container with a pierced bottom 40 x 40 cm and as deep, in which a draining layer of clay balls, gravel or terracotta shards is first placed. The shrub is then placed in a mixture of 50% garden soil and 50% planting soil. Tamp well then water generously.
Cultivar and Syringe(s)
Since they are well drained, all types of floors suit it, including calcareous or clay soils that can possibly be lightened with a little river sand. The Mock orange likes sunny to lightly shaded exposures. Too much shade, it flowers much less. However, it should be spared the direct rays of the afternoon sun which, in summer, may burn its flowers.
The olfactory interest of this shrub makes it one of the stars of the garden of ornament. In the evening, the heady fragrance of its delicate flowers is particularly developed. It should be noted that the varieties with single flowers are generally even more fragrant than those with double flowers, but the latter are not lacking in attraction.
Syringates are used in flowering hedgein shrub bedsin driveway border or in isolation et in tray on the terrace. They combine nicely with many species with spring or summer flowering or decorative foliage. From the climbing rose to the Delphinium via the Crimson hazel, hostas, Forsythias, Lilac, Clematis, Weigelia or even Spirea, the gardener has plenty of time to enhance his natural space thanks to sumptuous plant combinations. Do not hesitate to plant a common mock orange not far from a window so that its olfactory notes of Orange Blossom are perceptible from the house, knowing that when it is very hot, one can perceive some scents which recall to bananas. It’s very nice.
Entertain a Syringat
Very easy to growthe Seringat is satisfied with little care and its good cold tolerance (down to -20°C) makes it unnecessary to resort to winter protection.
Water
During the two years following its planting, watering every 12 to 15 days is essential in summer. But we also make sure to water the Seringat regularly until autumn if it was planted in the spring in order to promote rooting.
The soil must keep a constant but moderate freshness because this shrub does not do well in too dry soil. However, we keep a light hand because excess water does not suit him. Be careful not to bathe its roots. Of course, watering must be more frequent for mock oranges in containers since the substrate dries much faster in these conditions. It should always be slightly damp. Here again, the shrub is not drowned and the saucer is systematically emptied after each watering.
Mulch
It is very useful to install a mulch at the foot of the Seringat. This allows towater less since the evaporation process is slowed down. The ground therefore retains a certain freshness. In addition, the presence of a mulch limits the growth of weeds. The gardener saves time because weeding sessions are less frequent.
Fertiliser
Although it is able to grow well in relatively poor soil, the mock orange grows faster in rich, fertile soil, and this encourages it to bloom more. To meet its nutrient needs, it is therefore recommended to plant it in soil amended with manure. Thereafter, each year in spring and autumn, do not hesitate to make a addition of decomposed compost or fertilizer.
As for the Seringat grown in pots, it must benefit every three weeks from a supply offlowering shrub fertilizerfrom May to the end of September.
After flowering, whether the shrub is planted in the ground or in a pot, care is taken to enrich the soil with potash and magnesia. This is a good solution so that before autumn new flower buds are formed.
Pests and diseases
The aphids are the only parasites that can colonize a Seringat. Prevention involves keeping the shrub cool. In the event of an infestation, the foliage should be sprayed with a mixture of water and black soap or water and olive oil and then repeat the operation a few days later. You can also use a commercial anti-aphid, but it is a chemical product.
The good news is thatno disease is not to be feared in mock oranges.
Cut a Mock Orange
At the end of the flowering period, it is useful to remove faded flowers.
Side size, it must be extremely light in a Mock orange for the three years following its planting because the shrub must be given time to develop. At most, the branches can be shortened slightly.
Every two years, a more severe pruning can be carried out on subjects planted for at least four years. It consists of :
- Ventilate the center of the shrub by eliminating the branches that choke it,
- Shorten by about 30% of their length the branches that have flowered,
- Remove old branches and dead wood,
- Correct the general appearance of the subject by eliminating the very badly oriented branches which tend to unbalance its bearing,
- Maintain the compact form of the Seringat.
We do not touch the young stems of the Seringat which form at the level of the stump, but to promote their development, it is necessary to delete old branches. Finally, note that the flowers of mock orange appear on the branches of at least 2 years old, it is important not to remove the young shoots!