Winter Daphne, Evergreen Shrub Of The Day

Daphne odora

Winter Daphne, Fragrant Daphne

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 7A to 9B

Height 36" to 5' / 90cm to 1.60m

Spread 36" to 5' / 90cm to 1.60m

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Pink and purple

Bloom Time Winter

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green
Fall Color No change in fall color

Culture Notes One of the best fragrance plants for the garden. Daphnes are notoriously difficult to grow in a garden but this one grows nicely in shade. Fruit is reported to be poisonous and pollen causes mild allergies.
Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.
Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

Daphne odora 'Aureo Marginata'

Winter Daphne, Fragrant Daphne

Type Shrub, woody plant

Hardy range 7A to 9B

Height 36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m

Spread 36" to 5' / 90cm to 1.60m

Growth rate Slow

Form Rounded

Exposure Partial shade or partial sun

Persistence Evergreen

Bloom Color Pink and purple

Bloom Time Winter

The flowers are fragrant and showy.

Environment This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to alkaline (less than 6.8 to more than 7.7) soil.

Leaf Color Green, variegated and yellow
Fall Color No change in fall color
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes One of the best fragrance plants for the garden. Daphnes are notoriously difficult to grow in a garden; grow this one in shade for best performance. Be sure soil drains well and there is plenty of organic matter in the soil. Fruit is reported to be poisonous and pollen causes mild allergies.

Planting and establishing shrubsThe most common cause of young plant failure is planting too deep. Plant the root ball no deeper than it was in the nursery. In most instances, the root flare zone (point where the top-most root in the root ball originates from the trunk) should be located just above the landscape soil surface. Sometimes plants come from the nursery with soil over the root flare. If there is soil over this area, scrape it off. The planting hole should be at least twice the width of the root ball, preferably wider. In all but exceptional circumstances where the soil is very poor, there is no need to incorporate anything into the backfill soil except the loosened soil that came out of the planting hole. Never place ANY soil over the root ball. If a row or grouping of plants is to be installed, excavating or loosening the soil in the entire bed and incorporating organic matter enhances root growth and establishment rate.

Weed suppression during establishment is essential. Apply a 3-inch thick layer of mulch around the plant to help control weed growth. Keep it at least 10 inches from the trunk. If you apply it over the root ball, apply only a one or two inch layer. This allows rainwater and air to easily enter the root ball and keeps the trunk dry. Placing mulch against the trunk or applying too thick a layer above the root ball can kill the plant by oxygen starvation, death of bark, stem and root diseases, prevention of hardening off for winter, vole and other rodent damage to the trunk, keeping soil too wet, or repelling water. Regular irrigation through the first growing season after planting encourages rapid root growth, which is essential for quick plant establishment.

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