Winter Daphne

14 years ago

My dear, sweet husband gave me a Daphne odora for Valentine's Day. I know it wants good drainage (which I've got) and partial shade. What else do I need to know?

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Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
Those are the two biggies. And keep your fingers crossed!!
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muddydogs
14 years ago
They survive growing under house eaves with never any extra water. Expose above ground the top roots.
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Even in very mild climates, there's not all that much that will bloom continually through winter in the northern hemisphere :-) Winter daphne is really late winter daphne, seldom blooming before March but depending on species/hybrids selected, you can get an early and long bloom season from some hellebores - 'Ivory Prince' is one of the better choices. But you may be better off selecting plants that offer other winter interest - colored foliage, berries or attractive bark, etc. I find mixed containers offer the greatest appeal, but these generally require a good sized container - I'd consider 16-18 inch diameter a minimum. You could choose a dwarf Japanese skimmia (a winter bloomer that loves shade), a yellow or red twig dogwood, dwarf conifer or an evergreen grass like Carex as a centerpiece and add heucheras for foliage color, wintergreen for both foliage and berries or any other evergreen perennial. Trailers like vinca or fancy leaf ivy are nice additions to cascade over the edge. Winter pansies will provide a lot of color and if in a protected area (out of the rain, primarily), florist's cyclamen will flower throughout winter as well and will tolerate some pretty cold temperatures.
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Fragrant winter plants in winter
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For many years, we grew Prunus mume 'Kobai', but it self destructed in the terrible ice storm of 2003. Every now and then, we talk about replacing it because it was really lovely, especially when viewed against a backdrop of evergreens. My Edgeworthia chrysantha is probably the most fragrant winter plant, but its blooms won't open till late Feb or early March. It is a strikingly unusual plant even when not in bloom. It's planted near the front porch steps, so we never miss it when it blooms. The Mahonia is one of my favorites for winter fragrance. The scent is so lemony, and its a great bellweather plant for honey bees. They always come out on a warm afternoon to sample its nectar, probably more so than for any other plant.
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Any one have luck growing a Daphne?
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Comments (10)
Maybe we have a slightly different climate here a little north west of Denver, but I have seen many happy Carol Mackie Daphne shrubs in my neighborhood. One yard I visited has a HUGE and very healthy one (it had to have been over 5 feet wide and almost as tall) in her foundation planting bed. I asked her to make sure it was actually what it looked like, and she confirmed that it was. I have one neighbor (facing northeast) who has several very happy ones surrounding her front porch that are very mature and have been there longer than the 6 years I've lived here. My next door neighbor has 2 healthy ones (also facing northeast) flanking her front porch steps. They are in full bloom now and look beautiful. I don't think any of my neighbors do anything to baby their shrubs. I have been planning to get one for my yard once I figure out a good spot. We do get a lot of wind in this area. There are also quite a few Viburnum Carlesii shrubs around here that look good to me. They don't grow very densely from what I've seen, but I think their structure would be perfect to grow clematis vines through.
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winter daphne never bloomed
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Bought a couple of them a few years ago, they look very healthy, with glossy leaves, however, none of them ever bloomed. They are more than 2 ft tall now. What should I do to hope for a better winter this year? lhy
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Embothrium
14 years ago
Low, leaning habit good for furnishing the bases of hybrid rhododendrons that have become sparse underneath. Many people have these near building entries, where a winter daphne blasting its tropical-seeming floral aroma from beneath them would not be overlooked.

Put some small, dark blue- or purple-colored early bulbs and/or perennials in front of the daphne for contrast.
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brody
14 years ago
I've never grown it but everything I've read says the soil Ph needs to be near neutral with this plant as it dislikes highly acidic soils.
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hallerlake
Original Author
14 years ago
How about a large dark blue or purple pot? It may be easier to satisfy it's needs in a pot. I can always bring it near the front when in bloom.
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kristincarol
14 years ago
I got a potted daphne from a friend who moved to Hawaii and it bloomed just fine in that pot, set underneath an aerial hedge facing East and I admit with shame that it was a bit neglected.

After I planted it in what should be a suitable place it only bloomed one time. It gets no additional water and doesn't get too much sun, perhaps a bit too much shade. I have given up and decided that I will just admire its beautiful foliage.
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Winter Daphne

Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

muddydogs

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Embothrium

brody

hallerlake
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kristincarol

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Winter Daphne

Comments (6)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

muddydogs

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Embothrium

brody

hallerlakeOriginal Author

kristincarol

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hallerlake
Original Author