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 compact, slow-growing shrub in the Thymelaeaceae that flowers from January to April. It carries evergreen to semi-evergreen foliage and favours a sheltered, partially shaded position. Plant in neutral loam that remains moist but free-draining and place where the aspect is east, south or west. Hardy to H5, it suits borders, rock gardens and containers.

About the genus

Daphne is a genus of between 70 and 95 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to Asia, Europe and north Africa. They are noted for their scented flowers and often brightly coloured berries. Two species are used to make paper.

Wikipedia contributors, "Daphne (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Daphne (plant)

In the garden

Daphne belongs to the genus Daphne within the family Thymelaeaceae and is native across a wide range from parts of Europe and North Africa into large areas of Asia. Its compact, slow-growing habit and evergreen to semi-evergreen leaves make it a plant that occupies a small footprint yet provides presence through the winter and early spring flowering period of January to April. Site plants where they will receive partial shade and protection from harsh winds; a sheltered situation on an east, south or west-facing aspect suits them best. They prefer a neutral loam that stays moist without waterlogging, so ensure good surface drainage and avoid exposed, drying sites. Hardiness is H5 (hardy), so Daphne will tolerate typical UK winters in sheltered gardens. Use Daphne at the front of a mixed border, tucked into rock gardens or grown in containers where its compact habit can be controlled. Containers also allow you to position the plant in the most sheltered microclimate. As a slow-growing shrub it rewards patience and careful siting more than frequent disturbance, and it is particularly useful where winter-to-early-spring flowers are required in a constrained space.

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

Frequently asked questions