About
This slow-growing, dwarf evergreen shrub, to around 30cm high, with a compact, spreading habit and narrowly oval-shaped dark green leaves. Clusters of small, perfumed white flowers are produced at the tips of the stems 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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage 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 fertile, moist but well-drained soils that don't dry out. 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 semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, or by grafting in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), phytophthora root rot, fungal leaf spot and virus diseases