Mock Orange or (Orange Jasmine)
The evergreen hedging plant Murraya paniculata is widely used in warmer climates as a fast growing hedge. Fragrant flowers are an added attraction on a versatile and much used plant.
Murraya, Mock orange or Orange jessamine are all common names for Murraya paniculata. This is the most commonly used Murraya in landscaping, and it can makes a great evergreen hedging plant.
Delicate foliage with masses of creamish white perfumed flowers (see picture right). Fast growing it can be cut back to form a good screen.
The main flowering period is spring to summer and the plant is so popular it is perhaps overused in some areas. However its versatility and ease of care continue to make a favourite.
Murraya paniculata Growth habit and care
Although it will easily reach 3m in time it is a reasonably slow goring plant and can take 3-4 years to reach full size.
Often pruned or trimmed to create a smaller or more formal hedge Murraya, Mock orange or Orange jessamine is best pruned innerly autumn or spring. Spring is also a good time to fertilise, after pruning water well. apply fertiliser and water well again.
Spring is also a good time to renew mulch which will create a cool root run and help promote good growth.
Pruning
Regular pruning will create a nice dense hedge, so a good shaping in spring and then a tidy up in late summer to autumn will keep them in shape. Prune lightly twice a year during the first two years of growth to ensure a bushy habit.
Looking for a dwarf murraya, try Murraya Paniculata ‘Min-A-Min’ this one will reach around 1m, an excellent low border plant
Planting Murraya paniculata as A Hedge
Plants should be spaced at 50cm centers, you can reduce spacing to 40cm for a quicker, tighter growth habit.
Murraya Paniculata is a moderate grower and will take 2 years or so to reach 1M high. Prune and fertilize twice a year, spring is ideal and autumn is also suitable.
Murraya Paniculata ‘Min A Min’ – This is a dwarf form that will only reach around 1m in height. An excellent low hedge and a good container plant where it can be pruned to a neat shape.
Further information
- When planting Murraya, for a good dense hedge plant at a distance or spacing of between 30 cm to 50 cm apart works well.
- The height is best when kept between 1 metre and 2.5 metres.
- Growth rate regarded as medium to fast
Top tips
For a strong hedge that will last, be careful with fertiliser.
- Rapid, high nitrogen fertilisers should be avoided. They promote lists of new green growth, however it is usually weak, subject to burning in hot sun and requires lots of moisture.
- Try using organic fertilisers, vermicaste tea is excellent and you can use it as a foliar spray. Blood and Bone, beneficial soil microbe, and mulch all promote strong, disease resistant growth.
Murraya paniculata (mock orange) are available for sale from the following nurseries
Online and Retail Melbourne and Geelong based garden centres. Check out their large range of indoor and outdoor plants, Australian Natives, Fruit Trees and Edibles, Succulents, Gardenias, Camellias, Hydrangeas plus a full range garden products for delivery in Melbourne.
www.diacos.com.au
Phone: 0411 435 314
Online Retailer of Landscaping Plants, large quantities of small pot sizes up to advanced sizes & plant Sourcing.
SYDNEY | NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE
www.egardens.com.au
601 Sunnyholt Road Parklea NSW 2768
Parklea Pots and Plants are affordable, open 7 days and have everything you need for your garden - of any size!. Pots, plants, water features, fruit trees, hedging, potting mix and more.
Opening hours 7 days a week from 8:30am to 5pm
www.potsandplants.com.au
Carey Gully, Adelaide Hills.
Family business selling a large range of deciduous trees in pots 1-4m high. Crepe myrtle specialist. Includes Ornamental pears & plums, Red maples, Japanese maples, Gingko, Cercis, Ash, Birch, Crab apples, Weeping cherries, Gleditsia, Liquidambar and more. Hedging plants, evergreen trees & fruit trees.
www.adelaidetreefarm.com.au
Wholesale Suppliers
WINTER HILL TREE FARM Ph: 02 4878 9193 Fax: 02 4878 9109
NSW Southern Highlands
Retail & Wholesale. Advanced trees & hedging. Grown in pots for year-round planting. 45 litre - 1000 litre available. Great range. Great Quality. Delivery available.
www.winterhill.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au