Mock Orange (also known as Philadelphus or “False Jasmine”) is a hardy native plant that can handle winter like a pro. It’s perfectly happy staying outdoors all season long, even when the mercury drops, so you don’t have to worry about moving it to a special winter shelter.
How Hardy is Mock Orange?
When it comes to the cold, Mock Orange is completely winter-hardy. This means it generally doesn’t need any extra help from you to survive the frost. It can easily withstand temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C) without freezing. Since we rarely see temperatures colder than that in most regions, your Mock Orange should be just fine staying outside year-round.
For established, full-grown plants, extra protection isn’t usually necessary. If you’re expecting a particularly brutal cold snap, you can always toss some garden fleece or a burlap sack over it just to be safe. Don’t panic if you see a little frost damage on the upper branches, either—simply prune those bits off in the spring, and the plant will bounce back with fresh new growth and plenty of fragrant blooms.
Extra Care for Young Plants
If you have younger plants that were just put in the ground this past summer or fall, they might need a little more TLC. Their root systems haven’t had enough time to grow deep into the soil yet, leaving those shallow roots a bit more vulnerable to the freezing ground.
To keep those young roots cozy, I recommend adding a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant. You can use:
- Straw
- Fallen leaves
- Compost
- Or any other organic material you have on hand.
This mulch layer acts like a warm blanket against the frost and helps keep the soil moisture levels steady.
Special Tips for Potted Mock Orange
You’ll want to be a bit more careful with Mock Orange grown in pots or containers on your balcony or patio. Because there’s less soil to insulate the roots, they can freeze much faster than plants in the ground. To keep them safe, you can move your potted jasmine into a garage, a shed, or another frost-free spot until spring arrives.
