Do you have any idea as to why it hasn't?

KFredenburg said:Do you have any idea as to why it hasn't?

Hi!
I actually do not. The foliage is healthy. It has good sunlight.

Hmm, that's strange. I'll check the database for you and see what I can find.

Where is your Mock Orange planted?

In terms of how much sun it gets, I mean.

Hi
Thank you!
On one direction it faces east and on the other direction it faces southeast.

This website suggests using a fertilizer with added phosphorus. I haven't tried that but I have some and perhaps that is the missing secret ingredient of success. 🙂
https://www.gardeningknowhow.c...

How much sun does it get on average per day? Full sun? Full sun to partial shade?

The database recommends full sun to partial shade.

Definitely, it is planted in full sun.

Then I don't know what the problem is.
Then again, I'm no expert, so not that I would know.

I hope you find out why!

Thank you. Your interest has had me pondering this more deeply instead of just accepting the situation. I live in a sandy coastal town and it's difficult for the soil to retain nutrients. Some of my small property was farmed but this shrub is in an area which is primarily sandy soil. Beach plum, little leaf lilac, and sand cherry all bloom and do well. This survives faithfully but does not bloom, so it isn't thriving. I've noticed a sucker so I will transplant it to a previous farmland area where the soil is loamy.
Thank you!!

I hope it works out!

I grow Philadelphus here, though not Belle Etoile. I find it reliable though it would prefer a bit more summer moisture.

Do you prune the shrub - if so how and when (generally blooms on previous years wood)? And, at 25 years, what is its approximate size (if it is mature age yet still not fully sized might indicate conditions less than optimal)?

Do you have access to leaves in the Autumn? As you are clearly a v e r y patient gardener (waiting 20+ years for a bloom) a thick mulch of shredded leaves/leaf mould will eventually help.

Going out on a limb here as you seem to be describing pretty lean, not very moisture retentive conditions and adding organic matter by mulching will slowly improve structure and moisture retention. Generally they like well drained (seems you have this one covered) but moist soil. I don't think of them as very hungry plants. Water the plant well and then apply a thick mulch, As it breaks down and is transported downward by worms top it up as needed.

Consider a summer hair cut this year - cutting 1/4 of its old growth to ground.

Too bad you can't smell mine, he said gloating... a new experience for me, trust me, there's very little to gloat about in my garden.

I am glad that yours is doing well and I appreciate your recommendations. I do have access to leaves in the fall. I also have some bagged compost which I could apply now to get the process started.

Hi!

Thank you, you must have been right about the moisture…It has rained more in southern Maine in the last month than in the last 25 years!

I finally have 4 or 5 blossoms today (and no additional buds). After all these years, I discovered that the mock orange Wayside Gardens shipped to me was not the 'Belle Etoile' I had ordered. I noticed no fragrance but I will try again when the rain subsides. Perhaps someone here will recognize it?

To answer questions, it is about 6 feet tall in a narrow vase shape. I have pruned dead branches but since it is not at all vigorous, I didn't otherwise prune it. It is yellow in the fall.

Thanks again!

Fyi Wayside Gardens advises this is Philadelphus x virginalis and not the "Belle Etoile" that I ordered.

JBarstool said: I grow Philadelphus here, though not Belle Etoile. I find it reliable though it would prefer a bit more summer moisture.

Do you prune the shrub - if so how and when (generally blooms on previous years wood)? And, at 25 years, what is its approximate size (if it is mature age yet still not fully sized might indicate conditions less than optimal)?

Do you have access to leaves in the Autumn? As you are clearly a v e r y patient gardener (waiting 20+ years for a bloom) a thick mulch of shredded leaves/leaf mould will eventually help.

Going out on a limb here as you seem to be describing pretty lean, not very moisture retentive conditions and adding organic matter by mulching will slowly improve structure and moisture retention. Generally they like well drained (seems you have this one covered) but moist soil. I don't think of them as very hungry plants. Water the plant well and then apply a thick mulch, As it breaks down and is transported downward by worms top it up as needed.

Consider a summer hair cut this year - cutting 1/4 of its old growth to ground.

Too bad you can't smell mine, he said gloating... a new experience for me, trust me, there's very little to gloat about in my garden.

Awesome, I'm so glad to hear it!