One of the most attractive of the Philadelphus, Belle Etoile is a deciduous shrub with mid green ovate leaves in springh and summer, which often colour well in the autumn. In summer it is covered in pure white four petalled blooms, flushed maroon at the centre surrounding the bright gold stamens. Commonly called the mock orange, because of the beautuful orange scent that emantes from the flowers, which is one of the most heavenly scents in the garden. May reach 1.5m high in time by perhaps 2 to 2.5m wide if left unchecked, this is a graceful and arching shrub which requires little or no annual pruning, although taking out up to a third of old stems completely on an established plant will keep a more open shape. Only prune immediately after flowering as this shrub flowers on a previous year's growth. Extremely hardy, and rabbit resistant, great for pollinators, and thrives in most soils in partial or full sun. Recommended.