Daphne
( DAFF - nee )
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At-A-Glance InformationDaphne is a genus of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs that need moderate water to perform well in the garden. All Daphne plants require fast-draining soil and careful summer waterings to thrive. Flowers appear in late winter and early spring and are typically quite fragrant. Use Daphne shrubs in shaded beds and borders, in containers, or as specimens in mixed beds and borders. Be careful when planting these shrubs, as all parts (especially the fruiting bodies) are poisonous if ingested.
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daphne Species and Varietals
The genus Daphne includes about 70 to 95 species, and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae. Daphne growing zone requirements vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Daphne x burkwoodii (Burkwood Daphne) These evergreen, semi-evergreen to deciduous shrubs grow best in USDA hardiness zones 4-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-6 and 14-17. This species is an erect, compact-grower to 3-4 feet tall and wide. It is densely foliaged and blooms profusely with whitish-pink flowers in late spring and late summer. Varieties include 'Briggs Moonlight' (with green-bordered pale yellow leaves), 'Carol Mackie' (with gold-edged leaves), and 'Somerset' (with pink flowers). |
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Daphne cneorum (Garland Daphne, Rose Daphne, Garland Flower) Evergreen species that grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-9 and 14-17. Native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Forms 1 foot high and 3 feet wide carpet; is good for hanging baskets and containers. Dark green leaves and clusters of rose, fragrant flowers. Should get some shade in hottest climates and full sun in cooler areas. Popular varieties include 'Eximia' (lower in height and larger flowers), 'Ruby Glow' (deeper colored flowers), and 'Variegata' (with gold-edged leaves). |
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Daphne laureola (Spurge-Laurel, Dwarf Laurel, Daphne-Laurel, Wood Laurel, Olive-Spurge, Copse Laurel) This species is native to western and southern Europe and grow well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. These shrubs reach 2-3 feet tall and have an upright or decumbent habit. Leaves are green and flowers are honey-scented and yellow-green. This species is considered invasive in the Pacific Northwest (British Colombia, Washington, and Oregon). |
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Daphne odora (Winter Daphne, Fragrant Daphne, Dwarf Bay, Paradise Plant, Spurge Laurel) This species is evergreen and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-10, 12, and 14-24. Native to China and Japan, it is prized for its fragrance. A very neat, handsome plant, it is very difficult to grow in even the best conditions. Grows to 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide, with glossy green leaves. Pink to red flowers with creamy pink throats. Varieties and subspecies include 'Aureomarginata' (with yellow-edged leaves), 'Mae-jima' (a compact grower with leaves edged in cream and yellow), Daphne odora alba (with white flowers). |
Daphne x suzannae (Laurence Crocker Daphne, Rock Daphne)
This hybrid grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-17. It forms a compact mound 1 foot tall with dark green leaves. Flowers appear in late spring. Can be grown as a small border hedge. These hybrids perform best in partial shade.
This hybrid grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-17. It forms a compact mound 1 foot tall with dark green leaves. Flowers appear in late spring. Can be grown as a small border hedge. These hybrids perform best in partial shade.
'Anton Fahndrich'
Valued for its long bloom season, to 12-18 inches tall when mature. Pink flowers. |
'Cheriton'
Forms a low, dense mound of foliage with scented, lavender-pink blooms. |
'Lawrence Crocker'
Slow-growing, upright or mounding with deeply scented magenta flowers. |
'Tichborne'
Dense clusters of fragrant, mauve-pink blooms. To 12-18 inches tall when mature. |
Daphne x transatlantica (Eternal Fragrance Daphne)
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-9 and 14-17. Mounding grower to 3-4 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide in 10 years; semi-evergreen to deciduous. Gray-green leaves and very fragrant pinkish white flowers from spring through fall. Can take partial shade but blooms best in full sun. Varieties include 'Eternal Fragrance' (a widely-available form of the species) and 'Summer Ice' (with leaves edged in creamy white).
This shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 2b-9 and 14-17. Mounding grower to 3-4 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide in 10 years; semi-evergreen to deciduous. Gray-green leaves and very fragrant pinkish white flowers from spring through fall. Can take partial shade but blooms best in full sun. Varieties include 'Eternal Fragrance' (a widely-available form of the species) and 'Summer Ice' (with leaves edged in creamy white).
'Blafra'
White to blush-colored blooms on a low shrub to 2-3 feet tall. |
'Jim's Pride'
White flowers that bloom over a long season. |
'Pink Fragrance'
With pale pink, highly fragrant flowers. |
'Summer Ice'
A variegated sport of 'Jim's Pride' with dark green leaves that have cream-colored margins. White blooms. |
Caring for daphne
Plant Daphne shrubs in a space in the landscape that receives partial shade; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of sun each day. In warm zones, provide these plants with afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak (typically between 2 and 3 PM). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants appreciate consistent moisture but should not have their roots in soggy soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Do not prune heavily, as these plants will experience dieback after hard pruning. These shrubs are considered a bit difficult to grow, and are known to expire without warning or obvious cause. Plant Daphne in a spot where it won't be hard to get to if it needs to be replaced. Daphne shrubs are perennial, and can survive in the garden for 5 and 10 years on average before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Daphne in Containers
Daboecia shrubs do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least 15-24 inches in diameter and depth. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes in the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away from the root zone. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix, and apply mulch around the base of the plant to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly to keep soil moderately moist; Daphnes grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. ]Remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Cut plants down to their base in early springtime after the danger of frost has passed; they will rebound in the same season with new foliage and abundant flowers.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Do not prune heavily, as these plants will experience dieback after hard pruning. These shrubs are considered a bit difficult to grow, and are known to expire without warning or obvious cause. Plant Daphne in a spot where it won't be hard to get to if it needs to be replaced. Daphne shrubs are perennial, and can survive in the garden for 5 and 10 years on average before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Daphne in Containers
Daboecia shrubs do well in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least 15-24 inches in diameter and depth. Ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes in the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away from the root zone. Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix, and apply mulch around the base of the plant to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly to keep soil moderately moist; Daphnes grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. ]Remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Cut plants down to their base in early springtime after the danger of frost has passed; they will rebound in the same season with new foliage and abundant flowers.
Propagation
Daphne shrubs are best propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Daphne by Cutting
Propagating Daphne by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In late summer to early fall, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated shrub, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, for a whole year, after which you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Problems and Pests
Daphne shrubs are typically well-behaved, though Daphne laureola, or Spurge-Laurel, is considered an invasive plant in certain regions. See the species description above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Daphne shrubs can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Aphids
- Scale
- Mealybugs
- Root Rot
- Phytophthora
Gallery
Grow Daphne as a low hedge, near walkways free of pets or children.
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Daphne shrubs do well in areas that are protected from sudden changes in light and temperature.
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Variegated forms of Daphne light up shaded areas of the garden.
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Videos
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Daphne odora; a great, fragrant shrub.
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All about the different varieties of Daphne and how to care for them in your garden.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 280 - 281, Daphne
