June Daphne

Daphne

Daphne is an evergreen shrub that is grown particularly for its incredibly fragrant, fleshy flowers.

From pure white flowers to a more pinky/red hue. Daphne flower in late winter making it an ideal plant to bring scent and colour to the garden during these more barren months.

Planting Location:

Daphne are best planted in partial sun positions with free draining, lime free soil.

Daphne can be planted as a low growing shrub along a fence line or under a specimen tree in a garden.

Providing they are kept well watered through summer, Daphne do well in pots. Place the pots where you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scent!

Soil:

Daphne are acid loving plants and benefit from the addition of peat and compost to your garden soil. If the soil holds a lot of water in winter, mix in sand, pumice or scoria before planting.

The addition of Gypsum yearly to your garden beds keeps your soil in premium condition.

A loose, free draining soil high in organic matter is best.

Watering needs:

Daphne enjoy good soil moisture in summer. Inadequate soil moisture may cause buds to drop off.

The application of a mulch such as bark, peat moss or pea straw will help to reduce water loss. As already mentioned, Daphne need good drainage in the cold, wet months.

When planting your Daphne make sure that you water regularly until the plant is established and growing well, both in pots and in the garden.

Feeding:

Feed your Daphne twice yearly with an acid lovers fertiliser such as Kings Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Fertiliser. Do this once in spring and again in February. Water in deeply at application time.

Sequestron, a yellow leaf plant tonic, is specially formulated to cater for the needs of acid loving plants, and contains the trace elements required for healthy Daphne. This will correct the deficiency causing yellow leaf. Apply Sequestron at planting time and again one month later as Daphne are put under great stress when flowering heavily. Liquid feed with Sequestron monthly throughout the year, making sure that you follow the directions on the bottle.

Pruning your Daphne:

Daphne are best pruned after flowering, cutting the shrub back by a third to improve form. Picking the flowers is another form of pruning.

The 3 main varieties:  

DAPHNE LEUCANTHE

A neat and compact bush with erect leaves. Flowers are a deep pink shade and white. Flowers are produced along the stems. Grows 1m x 1m.

DAPHNE LEUCANTHE ALBA

Beautiful pure white flowers with a distinctive citrus scent on narrow dark green leaves that are around 7cm long. Alba bears flowers on the end of the branched which makes for easier picking. Grows 1m x 1m.

DAPHNE ODORA RUBRA

A lower growing variety, with flowers that are more reddish pink with cream throats. Grows 60cm x 1m.