Daphne Flowers & Plants

Plant Sizes

• There is a size of daphne plant for every garden. Larger daphne species grow to about 6 feet tall. Winter daphne (Daphne odora) reaches 3 to 6 feet tall and as wide and grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Its variegated cultivar (Daphne odora "Aureo-marginata") is smaller at 5 feet high. "Carol Mackie" (Daphne burkwoodii "Carol Mackie") is a moderate-sized shrub reaching 3 to 4 feet tall in USDA zones 5 through 8. A number of dwarf daphnes are low-growing, ground-hugging plants suitable for rockeries and edgings. An example is rose daphne (Daphne cneorum) with 6- to 12-inch-tall growth and a 2-foot-spread that grows in USDA zones 5 through 8.

Leaves

• Another factor to consider in choosing plants is whether they keep their leaves year-round or become deciduous. Plants with evergreen leaves include winter daphne and mid-sized Daphne tangutica, hardy from USDA zones 6a through 9b. A deciduous plant with showy, profuse bloom while the leaves are absent in late winter and early spring, mezereon (Daphne mezereum) grows to 5 feet tall in USDA zones 4 through 7. "Carol Mackie" exhibits evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous growth depending on winter cold, and the hybrid "Jim's Pride" (Daphne x transatlantica "Jim's Pride") has a semi-evergreen habit in warmer climates of its USDA zone 5 through 9 range. A number of daphne species and cultivars have variegated leaves. The foliage is generally tidy.

Flowers

• Daphne flowers are tubular and star-shaped, with four spreading petals. Daphnes with fragrant flowers can be used as cut flowers, but the scent can be so strong indoors that it could become overwhelming. Among the most fragrant white-flowering daphnes are winter daphne, with an intense scent detectable 15 to 20 feet away from the plant, and "Jim's Pride." Fragrant pink-flowered plants include "Carol Mackie" and rose daphne. Scentless lilac daphne (Daphne genkwa) has narrow lavender flowers during May and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 7.

Growing Conditions

• Daphnes have a reputation as being difficult plants to grow. Their intoxicating scent, floral display and tidy garden appearance make it worthwhile to learn about their rather precise growing requirements so you have a good chance of success. Most critical is a very well-draining, neutral soil that has a high organic content. The roots like to be kept cool, so mulch the plant and don't disturb the roots. Keep the plants moist during the growing season but allow the soil to partially dry once bloom is over. Larger-leaved and variegated species prefer semi-shade, and smaller-leaved varieties prefer a sunny location. Daphnes grow well in containers because you can create the exact soil conditions they like and have good drainage. An added bonus is being able to move blooming daphnes to where you can best enjoy their fragrance.