IN ADMIRATION OF MOCK-ORANGE
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Copyright © 2006
Barbara Brock
I've been a frequent Camano Island State Park visitor for nearly fourteen years now, and truly, one so often notices something new there and in other of our parks and natural areas.
In this case it was July 1, 2004, and as I drove along, exiting the park, a shrub bearing white flowers caught my attention. Scads of Ocean Sprays' off-white blossoms were everywhere, but these flowers were a white-white -definitely different. However, with a list of errands to run I drove on by, planning to take a closer look another time.
One of the errands was a stop at the beachside Cama Beach State Park office, where Area Manager and Beach Watcher Jeff Wheeler, Coordinator Melanie Ford and I were looking at recently trimmed bushes in front of their less-than-ostentatious temporary headquarters as I prepared to depart. One of the bush clumps that had been pruned/sculpted from long-lived flora was made up of an interesting combination of Snowberries, native blackberries and Ocean Spray-lichens peeking out from interior branches as well.
Melanie called me over to look at another of the pruned clumps. I could see some white flowers extending outward as I approached. And at first glance, from a bit of distance, I thought they might be invasive Himalayan Blackberry blooms, but when up close, no, they were not. They were white-white-lovely but unfamiliar. Melanie suggested I move closer and note the sweet scent of a flower cluster. 'Twas absolutely heavenly. To those familiar with them-reminiscent of orange blossoms. She said they were Mock-Orange.
Melanie also informed me that the leaves and flowers could be used as a soap-a cleanser. "Simply place them in your hands, rub together as you would with soap, and voila, a magic lather appears!" I gave it a try. She was right-a soap-like substance was produced.
I decided to drive back to Camano Island State Park later that day and check out the white-white blossoms seen there earlier. They seemed similar, so I headed immediately to the shrub I'd had a glimpse of roadside. Yes, it was identical-also a Mock-Orange.
At home that evening with native plant books in hand I gleaned more information. Botanical name: Philadelphus lewisii. The genus named after an Egyptian pharaoh-not the Pennsylvania city-and the species name honoring Meriweather Lewis who collected same while exploring the Louisiana Purchase lands 200 years earlier.
Found from British Columbia to central California and westward into Idaho and Western Montana, it is also referred to as Syringa. Like Pacific Dogwood, its appearance transported me to warmer climes: a garden outside Atlanta, a forest in Central America, a floater atop a tropical drink in a coconut shell in Hawaii. And indeed, many species of this member of the Hydrangea Family are found in warmer, more tropical-like environs.
About nine feet tall, the Camano Island State Park shrub was loosely branched, had leaves with three prominent veins, as many as 15 beautiful four-petaled flowers clustered at branch ends, and many bright yellow attractive stamens-up to 20 or more per bloom. A hardwood, the Skagit prized it for fashioning arrow shafts, and the Lummi, combs.
Mock Orange is the state flower of Idaho, and although not generally a preferred deer food, in some areas of both Washington and Montana, both deer and elk browse it extensively.
No doubt nurseries, landscapers and Master Gardeners are familiar with this plant and related species, for comeliness is not lacking. 'Twould be a stunning addition to a native plant garden-any garden for that matter. And at this time of year, a bride might find them a desirable floral addition at her wedding.
This past late May/early June I came upon more blooming Mock-Oranges in the north beach area of Camano Island State Park. There were four between the first beach access and the restrooms-on the bluff side of the road-and another further down. They thrive there and elsewhere in more open areas.
It's a shrub worth seeking out-a major gift to come upon when in bloom. Take a look-see and a whiff. I can guarantee you will be captivated by the seductive elegance and lovely fragrance of another of our native plant treasures: Mock-Orange.
Fourth in a series of eye-catching spring blooms. The earlier essays were Red-flowering Currant, Skunk Cabbage, and Honing in on Honeysuckle.
Pat Nash
Beach Watcher
Class of '94