Plant, care for, cut and more

Planting chanterelles properly

plant one mock orange in autumn in a sunny to partially shaded location. While you garden floor weed and loosen, the still potted root ball is soaked in a bucket of water. In order for the powerful central root system to spread unhindered, the planting pit should have twice the volume of the root ball. Proceed as follows:

• Enrich the excavation with bark humus, compost, horn shavings or horse manure
• Unpot the plant, insert in the middle, surround with soil, press down and water
• Spread a layer of mulch with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch

Make sure that the previous planting depth is maintained as far as possible. Finally, prune the shoots by a third to encourage lush branching.

care tips

The uncomplicated care program poses no hurdles, even for beginners among hobby gardeners. How to do it right:

• Water regularly in the year of planting, later only during summer drought
• A start fertilizing with compost in March gets the growth going
• Slight topiary immediately after flowering
• Pruning for rejuvenation preferably in autumn and winter, during the leafless period

A light winter protection is advisable in the year of planting, since the frost hardiness only builds up over time. To do this, before the first frost, spread a thick layer of autumn leaves on the root disc, which is fixed with fir fronds.
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Which location is suitable?

The frugal undemanding finds expression not least in the broad range of locations. The mock orange thrives tirelessly in all sunny to partially shaded locations with normal garden soil. Ideally, the soil is humus, rich in nutrients, fresh and, above all, well drained. Where these ideal conditions are not given, soil additives provide a balance. Too dry, lean soil is optimized with compost, bark humus or horse manure. Clay soil with a tendency to compaction can be loosened with quartz sand, fine grit or lava granules. The only place we strongly advise against cultivating farmer's jasmine is in a location where there is a risk of waterlogging.
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When is flowering time?

The diverse genus of mock orange trees presents us with species and varieties that flower at different times. If you can't get enough of the breathtaking abundance of flowers and the seductive scent, you can combine the hybrids and species tactically for an extra long flowering period. The following suggestions may serve as your inspiration:

• Farmer's jasmine: flowering period from May to June
• Double garden jasmine: flowering period from late May to mid-June
• False Jasmine Girandole or Dame Blanche: flowering period from June to July

Although a chanterelle tree per se does not have the potential for rebloom, the efforts are sometimes rewarded. Immediately after the first blooms, cut out any faded flowers and put a little compost on the root disk.
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Properly cut chanterelles

Although the flowering period extends into the summer, the mock orange tree is not treated as a summer bloomer when it comes to topiary. In fact, the wood blooms like a spring bloomer on the previous year's wood. A pruning in early spring thus robs the plant of its already established buds. Therefore, shorten shoots that are too long at the end of the flowering period.

For a comprehensive rejuvenation cut, on the other hand, choose a frost-free day in late winter by cutting off all branches to a height of 30 cm. Although this measure is at the expense of this year's flowering, it is rewarded with a vigorous and lush new shoot. Thanks to this prudence, you reduce the stress on a chanterelle tree to a minimum during the leafless period. At the same time, the wood is thoroughly pruned, removing deadwood, stunted, diseased and frozen branches at the base. Every 2 to 3 years you cut out all the old wood. This can be recognized by the darker and cracked bark.
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Water the chanterelle tree

While freshly planted chanterelles require a regular water supply, the need for watering decreases with age. In the first few months, keep the soil constantly moist without waterlogging. This is especially true after spring planting. In later years, water the flowering shrub whenever the natural amount of rain is insufficient.

Fertilize the chanterelle correctly

A start fertilization in March stimulates growth and willingness to flower. Spoil your chanterelle tree with a portion of compost and horn shavings, nettle manure, horse manure or granulated guano. Since the ornamental tree is naturally vigorous, it takes care of itself for the rest of the season with its powerful root system.

hibernate

An adult chanterelle tree is completely hardy and gets through the cold season in good health without any horticultural measures. Since the frost hardiness of young plants builds up gradually, we recommend light winter protection in the year of planting. To do this, cover the root disk with a layer of grass clippings, autumn leaves or needle brushwood. The buds that have already been created receive a covering of jute ribbons or garden fleece.

Propagate mock orange

For the chanterelle tree, the propagation of cuttings has proven excellent in practice. Breeding is so easy:

• In June, cut semi-lignified head cuttings with a length of 10-15 cm
• Defoliate the bottom leaving at least 1 pair of leaves at the top
• Fill small pots with lean substrate to use the cuttings two-thirds
• Water, cover with a transparent hood and allow to root in a partially shaded location

Keep your pets constantly moist and protect them from direct sunlight. A fresh shoot signals successful rooting. By autumn, more than 50 percent of the cuttings will have developed into vital young plants.
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Mockingbird in a pot

Due to its expansive central root system, a mock orange tree rarely feels at home in a pot. This circumstance also applies to mighty farmer's jasmine with a height of up to 300 cm as well as for the compact hybrids with a growth height of up to 150 cm. Even with an optimal supply of water and nutrients, a false jasmine in the tub usually falls far short of expectations in terms of growth and abundance of flowers.

Is mock orange poisonous?

The poisonous content of chanterelle trees is discussed controversially among hobby gardeners. We wanted to know exactly and asked the botanists at the University of Bonn. So far, no investigation has been able to prove toxic content, so that there can be no question of even marginal toxicity. So you can also enjoy the magnificent ornamental trees in the family garden.
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trivia

The pipe tree got its unusual name because its branches can be transformed into a children's instrument in just a few simple steps. The pith can be easily removed from the shoots. Drill small holes with a needle and the little whistle is finished.

Beautiful varieties

• Farmer's jasmine: Majestic mock orange tree, up to 300 cm high and creamy-white, fragrant flowers
• Virginal: Premium variety with double, snow-white flowers in spring with simple second blooms in autumn
• Belle Etoile: Compact mock orange tree, 100 cm high, whose white flowers have a pink colour Eye adorns
• Dame Blanche: Charming flowering shrub for the scented garden with semi-double flowers; ideal for vase decoration
• Erectus: Elegant mock orange tree that attracts hordes of butterflies with its alluring fragrance and white flowers