Daphne

( DAFF - nee )

At-A-Glance Information

This is a group of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous shrubs that need moderate water. All Daphnes require fast-draining soil and careful summer waterings. They are temperamental in California, but grow well in the rest of the Northwestern United States. Flowers appear in late winter and early spring. Use Daphne shrubs in shaded beds and borders, in containers, or as specimens. Be careful when planting these shrubs, as all parts (especially the fruiting bodies) are poisonous if ingested.

daphne Species and Varietals

The genus Daphne includes about 70 to 95 species, and is a member of the family Thymelaeaceae. Daphne zone requirements vary by species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Daphne x burkwoodii
These evergreen, semi-evergreen to deciduous shrubs grow best in 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).

​Daphne cneorum (Garland Daphne)
Evergreen species that grows best in 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).

​Daphne odora (Winter Daphne)
This species is evergreen and grows best in 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 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 'Lawrence Crocker'
This hybrid grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-17. It forms a compact mound 1 foot tall with dark green leaves and fragrant, deep pink to lavender blooms. Flowers appear in late spring. Can be grown as a small border hedge; best in partial shade.

Daphne x transatlantica
This shrub grows best in 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).

Caring for and pruning daphne shrubs

Plant Daphne shrubs in neutral to acidic moist but well-draining soil in full to partial sun exposure. Plant it so that the top half inch of root ball is above the soil level and mulch around the bottom to increase the soil water retention in the area. 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 you need to end up replacing it. Keep the soil moist, but ensure that it is draining well. Feed twice a year (in February and July) with a balanced fertilizer. Prune as needed to remove dead or dying foliage, and remove spent flower heads. Do not prune heavily, as these plants will experience dieback after hard pruning. 

Propagation

Daphne shrubs are best propagated using semi-hardwood cuttings. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Daphne by Cutting
  1. 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. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. 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.
  3. 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. 
  4. 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 does not suffer from pest or disease issues. For information on commonly encountered pests and diseases in the home garden, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Grow Daphne as a low hedge, near walkways free of pets or children.
Daphne shrubs do well in areas that are protected from sudden changes in light and temperature.
Variegated forms of Daphne light up shaded areas of the garden.

Videos

Daphne odora; a great, fragrant shrub.
All about the different varieties of Daphne and how to care for them in your garden.

Resources

Problems of Daphne
Caring for Daphne Plants - How to Care for Daphne Plant Varieties
Wikipedia: Daphne (plant)
How to Grow and Care for Daphne Shrubs
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 280 - 281, Daphne
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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