They definitely grow here but many don't smell - even though the tag may claim it does. We had one on our farm growing up and when I saw one at Monticello, I bought it. When it bloomed, it didn't smell. I called their garden people and they offered to refund my money (it was only $20 and not worth the trip down to get it). The gardener also told me that the Philadelphus lewissi variety was reliably fragrant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphus_lewisii

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

My mother planted one here (Ffx County) when I was a little girl and I vaguely remember it.
She recently died and I am trying to remember her plants.

But I thought the mock orange had orange berries... So maybe I am thinking of the wrong plant.

pyracantha?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Pyracantha.bush.arp.jpg

Anonymous wrote:My house in Cleveland had them while I was growing up, so I think it's warm enough here.

My grandmother in Cleveland had one too. I hadn't thought of it in years until this thread.

My grandmother had one in her yard in FC. I think it was close to the house, though, so quite sheltered. It grew to a good size.

OP here.

My mother planted one here (Ffx County) when I was a little girl and I vaguely remember it.
She recently died and I am trying to remember her plants.

But I thought the mock orange had orange berries... So maybe I am thinking of the wrong plant.

Anonymous wrote:My house in Cleveland had them while I was growing up, so I think it's warm enough here.

Had these in my Pittsburgh 'burb too!

Yes they do. They are a little out of fashion. Short bloom period and not that great to look at when out of bloom compared to other plants.

Anonymous wrote:According to the catalogues, they do.
But I don't know of anyone that has one that thrives.

Anyone know?

Unfortunately yes. They grow very well. Backyard neighbor' has several. I always get a cold when it is in bloom.

My mom has one in her yard about 100 miles southeast of here. It's been there for at least 50 years, and is quite large. The climate is essentially the same, maybe a little less snow in the winter since it is near the coast. They do spread out if not trimmed, are full of thorns, and are messy when the fruit drops. She still cuts her own grass, and keeps threatening to cut it down every year.

My house in Cleveland had them while I was growing up, so I think it's warm enough here.

I've seen them for sale at the local nurseries, so I'd assume they do.

Anonymous wrote:According to the catalogues, they do.
But I don't know of anyone that has one that thrives.

Anyone know?

Visit Mount Vernon and talk to their gardener.

In theory it should, since it's zones 4-8. Are you worried that it's too cold here?

Not to the best of my knowledge. I have a small Meyer's Lemon tree which I bring indoors every year to keep it going. This year I didn't bring it in and it died from the cold.

According to the catalogues, they do.
But I don't know of anyone that has one that thrives.

Anyone know?