I first encountered Daphne odora at an open garden in Devon 10 years ago this month. The fragrance wafted across the garden, I traced it to this compact gloriously flowering shrub that I HAD to have.
I bought a plant on the spot from the garden's small shop and carried it through Devon and back to Buckden where I kept it in a pot and then gave it to my mother-in-law when we moved. It was one of the first shrubs I bought when we moved here. I have it in the shrub border by the kitchen window where I can breathe it's fragrance deeply when I venture out the mudroom door and can open the kitchen window and fill the room with scent.
The Facts
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Genus: Daphne Species: odora Common Name: Winter or Fragrant Daphne
Area of Origin: China
Characteristics: A densely branched, mounded evergreen shrub that reaches 4' (6') in height and width. Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, elliptic-oblong leaves. The fragrant, rosy pale pink/white flowers are borne in 1" diameter, terminal heads with up to 10 florets during February - March. They last a long time and the fragrance is wonderful. Fruits are supposedly red but I've never seen one. It performs well in shade and is not meant to be as finicky about soil as other Daphne species. Dirr says "What a wonderful plant! Temperamental, trying, but worth all the attention."
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 9 (though we're 6, hence the very sheltered position).
Cultivation needs: Temperamental, reportedly short lived, prefers part shade. They dislike disturbance and once planted should be left there. Sometimes they die for no apparent reason, very fastidious about culture, overly wet soil appears to doom them. Still a plant of the first order that is absolutely stunning in flower
Typical Pests, Diseases, associated problems: leaf spots, crown rot, twig blight, canker, viruses, aphids, mealybug and scale.
Propagation Method: Dirr used to think propogation was as "easy as cutting warm butter" but now claims to have varied success. Timing seems to be important when gathering cuttings, covered frame and shade cloth etc. To the nursery I go.
Genus: Daphne Species: odora Common Name: Winter or Fragrant Daphne
Area of Origin: China
Characteristics: A densely branched, mounded evergreen shrub that reaches 4' (6') in height and width. Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, elliptic-oblong leaves. The fragrant, rosy pale pink/white flowers are borne in 1" diameter, terminal heads with up to 10 florets during February - March. They last a long time and the fragrance is wonderful. Fruits are supposedly red but I've never seen one. It performs well in shade and is not meant to be as finicky about soil as other Daphne species. Dirr says "What a wonderful plant! Temperamental, trying, but worth all the attention."
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 9 (though we're 6, hence the very sheltered position).
Cultivation needs: Temperamental, reportedly short lived, prefers part shade. They dislike disturbance and once planted should be left there. Sometimes they die for no apparent reason, very fastidious about culture, overly wet soil appears to doom them. Still a plant of the first order that is absolutely stunning in flower
Typical Pests, Diseases, associated problems: leaf spots, crown rot, twig blight, canker, viruses, aphids, mealybug and scale.
Propagation Method: Dirr used to think propogation was as "easy as cutting warm butter" but now claims to have varied success. Timing seems to be important when gathering cuttings, covered frame and shade cloth etc. To the nursery I go.
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