Daphne bears exceptionally aromatic four-lobed and tubular blossoms in early spring. Flowers are borne singly or briefly clustered heads various from red-purple to pink, lavender-pink, lilac, yellow, and white.
There are about 70 species of Daphne. Some are low-growing, matting shrubs, others develop 3 to 4 toes tall, and nonetheless, others develop as tall as 10 toes. Most have intensely candy aromatic flowers and must be planted the place they are often loved–close to doorways and walkways.
Two early spring blooming daphnes are Daphne genkwa (lilac daphne) and Daphne mezereum or mezereon (February daphne). Each are deciduous and develop to about 3 toes tall. Lilac daphne bears half-inch flowers in clusters alongside the top of leafless branches in early spring–like lilacs. February daphne opens in late winter in delicate winter areas and in mid-spring in colder climates. The flowers are stemless and seem alongside the higher parts of the branches.
Daphnes are finest planted the place they’re sheltered from the mid-day solar. They develop finest the place the soil stays cool. Daphnes are usually not long-lived; they often fall into decline for seemingly no cause.
Get to Know Daphne
- Plant sort: Deciduous spring-, summer-, or fall-blooming shrub
- Rising Zones and vary: Zones 4-9
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Peak and width: 1 to 4 toes (1.2m) tall, 3 to 10 toes (.9-3m) vast
- Foliage: Slender, strap-shaped, dark-green leaves are alternate
- Flowers: White or pink and shades of red-purple and lavender; fruits are toxic
- Bloom time: Spring or early summer season; daphne typically reblooms in autumn
- Makes use of: Basis shrub or on the entrance of a shrub border
- Frequent identify: Daphne
- Botanical identify: Daphne spp.
- Household: Thymeliaceaceae
- Origin: Europe, North Africa
The place to Plant Daphne
- Plant daphne in full solar to mild shade relying on the species
- Develop daphne in humus-rich to common, very well-drained however moist soil.
- Daphne prefers impartial or barely alkaline soil
When to Plant Daphne
- Plant daphne in late winter, spring, or fall.
- Transplant container-grown crops in early spring or fall
Planting and Spacing Daphne
- House daphne 3 to 10 toes aside relying on the range.
Easy methods to Water and Feed Daphne
- Daphne wants reasonable to ample water; maintain the soil evenly moist. Daphne dies simply if the soil is just too moist.
Daphne Care
- Mulch round daphne to maintain the soil cool and preserve soil moisture.
- Daphne doesn’t want pruning aside from mild shaping.
Rising Daphne as a Houseplant
- Daphne odora, winter daphne, could be grown as a houseplant.
- Develop daphne in a heat room the place humidity is common and lightweight is vivid.
- The potting medium must be allowed to dry barely between waterings.
- Fertilize as soon as within the spring with a fertilizer for acid-lowing crops.
- After the plant has flowered, it may be in the reduction of to maintain [p it compact.
Daphne Pests and Diseases
- Daphnes are not long-lived and tend to suffer progressive die-back after a few years.
- Daphne can suffer from viral diseases that cause leaf mottling and grey mold.
Daphne Propagation
- Seeds need cold treatment before sowing.
- Layer daphne branches in fall.
- Take cuttings softwood cuttings in late summer
Daphne Varieties to Grow
- Daphne x burkwoodii, Burkwood Daphne: Semi-evergreen and has a number of variegated cultivars; grows 3 to 4 feet high and wide; small clusters of fragrant flowers that are white then age to pink at branch ends; blooms late spring and late summer in Zones 5-7.
- D. caucasica, Caucasian daphne: Deciduous; grows 4 to 5 feet tall and wide; intensely fragrant white flowers.
- D. cneorum, Garland daphne: Grows 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide; trailing branches with narrow leaves; clusters of fragrant rosy light pink flowers in spring; several cultivars.
- D genkwa, lilac daphne: Grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide; clusters of lilac-blue, scentless flowers.
- D. mantensiana: Evergreen grows to 18 inches high, spreading to 3 feet; fragrant purple flowers at branch tips; densely branched.
- D. mezereum (mezereon), February daphne: Deciduous, erect growing to 4 feet; fragrant reddish-purple flowers in short clusters; cultivar ‘Alba’ has white flowers.
- D. odora, winter daphne: Very fragrant; has purple-and-white flowers and can grow to 4 feet tall and twice as wide in Zones 7-9; plant where it will get mid-day shade; cultivar ‘Aureo-Marginata’ is hardier and has yellow-edged leaves.
Daphne Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does daphne need to grow successfully?
A: Daphne likes rich friable (well-worked) soil that is not too acidic. Add aged compost or leaf mold to the soil before planting or as a side dressing at any time. Daphne favors moist but not wet soil. Daphne grows best in full sun but will also grow in partial shade. Mulch the soil to keep it as cool as possible during the summer months.
Q: The leaves of my daphne are turning yellow. Why?
A: Yellowing daphne leaves may be chlorosis, due to alkaline soil which makes iron unavailable. Treat the soil with iron chelates. Another cause of yellowing leaves could be root rot; avoid planting in areas of high moisture content.
Q: How do I propagate daphne?
A: Start new daphne plants from softwood cuttings of young growth in late spring or early summer. Start new plants from semi-hardwood cutting or more mature growth in mid- or late summer. New plants can also be started by ground layering.