Daphne Shrubs

Picky about their living conditions but generous with their fragrance, daphne shrubs thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 5 to 8. The grayish to deep green, shiny leaves complement highly aromatic flowers that appear from winter to summer, depending upon the variety. Daphne does not take kindly to transplanting and may die suddenly if moved. All parts of the shrub are highly toxic and can prove fatal if ingested.

Several varieties of daphne are available to the home gardener, and all have unique characteristics. Daphne ranges in height from 1 to 5 feet with a spread of up to 4 feet. Most cultivars have a mounding habit and may be deciduous, evergreen or semievergreen. Leaves may be gray or bluish to dark green, variegated or green with yellow or white margins. Flowers may be white, pink or lavender, and almost all varieties are heavily fragrant.

Daphne odora or winter daphne is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and produces pink flowers from late winter to early spring. Like most daphnes, this variety is slow growing and short lived. Burkwood daphne is available in several varieties including Carole Mackie, Briggs Moonlight and Somerset. Hardy in zones 4 to 8, the semievergreen produces white flowers tinged with pink in late spring, but may bloom a second time late in the fall. Transatlantica daphnes bloom from late spring to fall. Flowers are white to pink.

According to gardening columnist and author Walter Reeves, the secret to successfully growing daphne is planting the shrub in the perfect soil. Daphnes require both moisture and good drainage, and they like to keep their roots cool in summer. The soil should be nutrient-rich, loamy or sandy. Add lime to neutralize any acidity. Consider planting daphne in a raised bed to enhance drainage. Mulch around the plant to keep the roots cool. Daphne prefers dappled or light shade for part of the day and needs to be protected from harsh winds in both winter and summer. Daphne generally needs no pruning, but if you wish to prune for shape or to remove dead wood, do so before new growth starts -- usually in late winter or as soon as the blooming period ends.

Plant daphnes along a sidewalk or driveway, around the patio or at the entrance to your home for both beauty and fragrance. Daphnes may be grown in containers or planted directly in the garden. The shrub is useful for garden borders, or opt for a larger variety to use as a specimen plant in the yard. Daphnes add interest to rock gardens.