About
A compact, evergreen, upright shrub to 40cm tall with narrow, dark green, glossy leaves that turn bronze-green in winter. perfumed, pale pink flowers with a deeper pink centre open from reddish-purple buds 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 pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container 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 fertile, humus rich, moist, but well-drained soils in a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade. Mulch to keep roots cool. Resents transplanting. See daphne cultivation
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 8; keep to a minimum
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases