How much sun does Desert mock orange need?

Desert mock orange grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Desert mock orange bloom?

Desert mock orange blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Desert mock orange native?

Desert mock orange (Philadelphus microphyllus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Desert mock orange attract?

Desert mock orange draws native bees, butterflies, and hawk moths.

Desert mock orange

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Philadelphus microphyllus

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Desert mock orange (Philadelphus microphyllus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

36"–72" H × 36"–60" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states

Pollinators

native bees, butterflies, hawk moths

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Southwestern Tablelands Madrean Archipelago

A rounded deciduous shrub with small, oval leaves and intensely fragrant, four-petaled white flowers held singly along the stems. It grows on rocky slopes and in canyons, its perfume carrying widely on summer evenings.

Wildlife value

Its fragrant flowers attract native bees and butterflies by day and hawk moths at dusk.

Common questions

How much sun does Desert mock orange need?: Desert mock orange grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Desert mock orange bloom?: Desert mock orange blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Desert mock orange native?: Desert mock orange (Philadelphus microphyllus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Desert mock orange attract?: Desert mock orange draws native bees, butterflies, and hawk moths.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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