About
Daphne blagayana, Blagay's daphne, is a creeping, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub reaching around 40 cm tall with prostrate stems and rich-green, oval leaves. In early spring it produces dense clusters of highly fragrant, white flowers at the ends of the stems, followed by round, pink or white berries. A beautiful and unusual daphne for a sheltered, shaded or partly shaded position.
About the genus
Daphne are deciduous or evergreen shrubs with simple, often leathery leaves and clusters of small, usually intensely fragrant, tubular, four-lobed flowers in white, pink, purple or yellow, often followed by colourful, fleshy berries. Among the most treasured of all garden shrubs for their fragrance.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral, Acid
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitTrailing
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFlower
ToxicityTOXIC if eaten, skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Allow this plant to layer to encourage new growth. Resents transplanting
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings, grafting or layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases