Daphne Plants and Varieties

One of the most popular of all the fragrant flowers that form in the UK winter, although not all species are fragrant. Prefering a position in dappled shade in a humus rich moist but wel drained soil, daphne plants tend to resent being disturbed. Try not to dig around the root system and keep well mulched so that the root run is cool.

Daphne species and varieties include both evergreen and deciduous types. Flowers range in color from white through to pink/red and yellow flowering daphnes are also available.

D. jezoens and D. giraldii are two yellow flowering species. D pontica has yellow/green flowers.

Daphne species or varieties include:

• d. mezereum is a medium sized deciduous plant. with pink flowers appearing in clusters along the bare stems in winter, followed by green foliage. The variety 'alba' has white flowers and this slow growing species takes little care. Grows well in shade to dappled shade.
• d. odora
• d. cneorum (picture right) Masses of pink flowers in winter (also known as 'Garland Flower'. Daphne cneorum 'Ruby Glow' is a cultivar
• d. bholua s an evergreen species, hardier than some some species. Attractive white flowers in winter.
• d. laureola,
• d. burkwoodii is a larger growing species that will 2+m, however it is slow growing like most other species.
• d. caucasica
• d. pontica (picture below) with its yellow to green flowers will reach around 1m

Where to grow Daphne Plants

Care and growing hints.

Pruning Plants

Daphne are slow growing and very rarely need pruning. Prune to shape if required just after flowering. Remove any dead, diseased or damaged wood.