About
A very slow-growing dwarf evergreen shrub to 10cm tall, with narrow, dark green leaves and pure white flowers with a tiny yellow eye, opening in late 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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel 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
CultivationA choice shrublet, ideal for an alpine house or scree. Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Mulch to keep roots cool. Resents transplanting. Further daphne cultivation advice
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 8 but keep pruning to a minimum
PropagationTake softwood cuttings in early summer and semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases