About
This upright deciduous shrub with narrow, dull green leaves and very aromatic white flowers before the leaves in late winter and early spring, followed by yellow berries.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
Native toEurope W Asia
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 moderately fertile, well-drained, but not dry soil, in sun or part shade. Mulch to keep roots cool. Will not tolerate root disturbance and so resents transplanting. Further daphne cultivation advice
PruningPruning group 1 or Pruning group 8 if necessary. Pruning is best kept to a minimum
PropagationPropagate by seed and sow when fresh. Take root cuttings in winter, nodal stem-tip greenwood cuttings from spring to early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases