Philadelpheae

Philadelpheae is a tribe of flowering plants in the family Rosaceae, subfamily Spiraeoideae. The tribe consists of a single genus, Philadelphus, commonly known as mock oranges. These are deciduous shrubs or small trees native to North America, Asia, and southeastern Europe. Philadelphus species are widely cultivated for their ornamental value, particularly for their fragrant white flowers that typically bloom in late spring or early summer.

The leaves of Philadelphus are typically opposite, simple, and toothed. The flowers are usually borne in racemes or panicles and possess a characteristic sweet fragrance, resembling that of orange blossoms, which gives them their common name. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous small seeds.

Species within Philadelpheae are generally hardy and adaptable, thriving in a range of soil types and sunlight conditions, though they often perform best in well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. They are commonly used in landscaping for hedges, specimen plants, or in mixed borders. Their cultivation dates back centuries, with many cultivars developed for specific garden uses.