Daphne — Compact, slow-growing

Overview

Daphne is a compact, slow-growing shrubs in the genus Daphne, part of the Thymelaeaceae family, with evergreen, semi-evergreen foliage. Daphne grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens and containers. It is native to Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Assam, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hainan, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Manchuria, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Qinghai, Romania, Sakhalin, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Vietnam, West Himalaya, West Siberia and Xinjiang.

About

Daphne is a genus of compact, slow-growing shrubs that can be either deciduous or evergreen. This cultivar features evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage and produces small, often highly aromatic tubular flowers with four lobes, typically followed by vibrant berries. It thrives best in partial shade with a sheltered aspect, preferring moist, free-draining loam soil of neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H5, it is suitable for borders, rock gardens, and containers, and is best planted in well-drained soil in sun or part shade.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Daphne

Sunlight: Partial shade
Soil type: Loam
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil moisture: Moist, free-draining
Aspect: East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H5

Plant details

Daphne size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Compact, slow-growing
Foliage: Evergreen, semi-evergreen
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, containers
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Altay, Assam, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, East Aegean Is., East European Russia, East Himalaya, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hainan, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Manchuria, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, North European Russia, Northwest European Russia, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Primorye, Qinghai, Romania, Sakhalin, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, Vietnam, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Xinjiang

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Daphne

Propagation: Semi-ripe cuttings, layering, grafting
Pest resistance: Aphids
Disease resistance: Honey fungus, Phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot, virus diseases