The Desert Mountain mock orange is native to the dry, mountainous regions of southwest North America. It bears highly fragrant white flowers with a maroon center in May to June. The Desert Mountain mock orange is a medium-sized deciduous shrub with narrow grayish-green leaves that are adapted to dry climates, growing to about six feet in height and width with gently arching branches and an open appearance. While this shrub is adaptable to a range of conditions including drought, it prefers sunny locations and cannot tolerate poor drainage. Plant this shrub where the canes can arch gracefully and the scented flowers can be appreciated. It makes a wonderful screen or hedge or backdrop to a sunny border. Prune back after flowering and cut back to the ground if very overgrown. This shrub is not reliably hardy in the Chicagoland area.