About
A creeping evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub, to a height of around 40cm, with prostrate stems and dark green, leathery leaves. Clusters of highly perfumed white flowers are borne at the tips of the stems in spring.
About the genus
Daphne can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with small, usually very fragrant tubular, 4-lobed flowers, often followed by colourful berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitTrailing
FoliageEvergreen, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden
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 deep, fertile, evenly moist, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline soils; will not tolerate drought or waterlogging. Mulch to keep roots cool. Plants resent transplanting. See daphne cultivation for more details
PruningSee pruning groups 1 and 8; pruning is best kept to a minimum
PropagationPropagate by layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases