An application of slow-release shrub fertiliser in spring will keep your shrub in tip-top condition and encourage plenty of growth and flowers. Occasionally, in very poor soil, an extra dose of fertilizer in mid-summer is required. Pot grown plants will need more regular feeding. Planting

Philadelphus 'Virginal' – beautiful, double flowers with a beautiful scent. Height x Spread: 3m x 2.5m Discussing fertilizer, this plant does best with a moderate application of fertilizer in the spring. I prefer a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. A little fertilizer goes a long way with this plant, so be careful not to overdo it. Too much fertilizer will result in lots of green growth with fewer flowers. About light These shrubs can grow in most soils from heavy clay to light, sandy soils or chalk. They are happy in acid or alkaline soil and they can also tolerate salt. They have a very deep root system and so are unaffected by dry weather. They will, however, need to be kept watered for their first year until the roots are well established. Fertiliser Requirements

Encouraging the natural predators of aphids such as ladybirds, hoverfly larvae, lacewing larvae and parasitic wasps can help to keep them at bay, however often an infestation can build up before these insects are around in high numbers. Plant container-grown and bare-root Philadelphus as you would any shrub, by digging a hole deep enough to take the rootball, but around twice as wide as the rootball. Philadelphus can easily be propagated by softwood cuttings. Propagating Philadelphus by Softwood Cuttings Consider using this variety as a feature on a patio or balcony, by planting in a pot and swaying the delightful scent throughout your seating area.

Take softwood cuttings in springtime. If the weather has been exceptionally dry, water your parent plant a few days before taking cuttings. Cuttings should be taken in the morning when the plant is full of sap.Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. If the environment is too dry, the leaves will start to curl and the flowers will fall off. If the humidity is too high, the leaves will become yellow and the plant will be more susceptible to fungal diseases. Fertilizer Requirement Medium-height Philadelphus, for example P. ‘Belle Etoile’, which grows to around 1.5m (5ft), are ideal for planting behind other summer-flowering shrubs such as roses, or growing among tall perennial plants